Hanford West wrestler wins title at state invitational

HANFORD -- Gaby Corona-Zamarripa certainly wasn't overcome by nerves while wrestling for a championship at the California Girls Invitational on Saturday.

In fact, the Hanford West High senior was quite comfortable.

"I wasn't really nervous and I didn't feel any pressure," Corona-Zamarripa said. "I felt at home with a lot of people cheering for me."

And Corona-Zamarripa gave the crowd plenty to cheer about, defeating Liberty of Brentwood's Brittany David 6-4 in overtime of the 146-pound final at the Hanford West High Event Center.

"I've only wrestled in an overtime match twice and the other time I lost," Corona-Zamarripa said. "I really wasn't sure what to expect."

In the one-minute overtime, the pair tied up for the majority of the round before a scramble ensued and Corona-Zamarripa ended up on top.

"It came down to who wanted it more and who worked harder," Corona-Zamarripa said.

The match didn't come without some controversy. The official delayed his takedown call and David rolled Zamarripa prior to the whistle sounding to end the match.

After a protest, Corona-Zamarripa was declared the winner.

"I'm really not the shooting type," Corona-Zamarripa said. "I try to work for a throw or work from the top."

After a scoreless first period, Corona-Zamarripa chose top and worked for a 3-point near fall. She nearly scored a pin, but David was able to work free. In the third period, David chose neutral and scored on a quick takedown and then took the lead 4-3 with a 2-point near fall.

But David was whistled for a technical violation for striking too hard with a crossface and Corona-Zamarripa was awarded a point, which tied the match 4-4.

In her previous tournament, Corona-Zamarripa won the CIF Southern California championship at Channel Island High School in Oxnard. David, is the reigning CIF Northern California champion.

Corona-Zamarripa was one of two local athletes to place in what has become the nation's largest girls wrestling tournament, with 346 competitors.

Hanford High's Justine Neves captured a fifth-place medal, defeating Napa's Alyx McChesney 3-1 in the fifth-place match at 122 pounds.

The Bullpups' Marina Castillo (189), Ashley Huerta (108) and Jammie Domingo (126), and Hanford West's Mayra Zamora (122) and Heather Roy (114) also competed.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2431.