San Clemente’s Amara Devericks has experienced what it is like to compete in the CIF State Girls Wresting Championships.
Last year, as freshman, she went 3-2 at 170 pounds, falling just one round short of earning a spot in the final eight of her weight class.
Devericks, now wrestling at 189, will be back Friday at the Visalia Convention Center, and she is focused on making it to the podium at the end of the tournament.
She is one of 16 county wrestlers competing in the two-day state tournament, which begins Friday at 9 a.m.
“My confidence has improved immensely,” Devericks said. “I also think that I’ve improved with my technique. I used to muscle things a lot and it only got me so far. Now I’m using my muscle and technique, and it is getting me a lot farther.
“Last year, I placed top 12 at state, but I went in there doing the muscle thing and then I met someone else who had the same amount of muscle and a tiny bit of technique and that’s what beat me. This year with my conditioning, with training with the varsity boys, it has made me way more prepared than last year.”
Devericks finished second at the CIF-SS qualifier and third at the Individual Championships, losing to returning state champion Corey Burton of Oak Hills.
Devericks’ background is in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, having started as an 8-year old.
“Her technique is much better and she’s starting to understand a few things about strategy,” Coach John Owens said.
Devericks will be joined at the state tournament by her teammate Carolina Moreno (160).
Godinez is the other county school with multiple state qualifiers – Samantha Salas (160) and Gisselle Duarte (170).
Esperanza’s Gwen McDonald (116), University’s Lorena Egea (137), Salas and Cypress’ Karamia Guzman (143) are making their second consecutive state tournament appearance.
For the boys, this weekend is the CIF-SS Masters Meet at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario. The first matches are Friday at 10 a.m.
The top nine at each weight will advance to next week’s CIF State Tournament at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield.
Calvary Chapel’s Luciano Arroyo (120), Calvary Chapel’s Elijah Palacio (126), Laguna Hills’ Anthony Le (132), Mater Dei’s Devin Pacheco (132), San Clemente’s Kyle Marshall (195) and Santa Ana’s Joey Daniel (220) are all in search of their second consecutive state appearance.
Arroyo is a defending Masters Meet champion.
The medal matches are scheduled to begin Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
Contact the writer: dcalhoun@scng.com
