Santa Ana High School girls wrestling team celebrates first CIF dual meet crown

Santa Ana wrestlers and coaches after a meet at Paloma High School, where the first three rounds of the dual meet tournament was held. The saying was on the wall of the gymnasium. (Photo courtesy Santa Ana Athletics).

Santa Ana High School’s girls wrestling team, in front of its home fans, captured the CIF Division 2 Dual meet championship Thursday night,

It’s the first CIF dual meet title in school history, according to Athletic Director Brian Lillie. Top-seeded Santa Ana (11-0) captured the title with a 63-18 victory over El Toro, much to the delight of Saints fans.

“This team is special because they all work together and support each other. We are one big family that has fun together, whether it is at practice, a competition or just dancing,” said Santa Ana co-coach Tim Byers who leads the team with the other co-head coach Fernando Serratos.

The top-seeded Saints, who had a bye in the first round, defeated Orange Vista 60-24 and Hemet 48-33 to advance to the finals.

Top wrestlers for Santa Ana were: 100-pound division, Gabriella Martinez, No. 5 in OC, 2024 CIF qualifier and Angelica “Cookie” Serratos, No. 1 in OC, No. 1 in Masters, No. 2 in state and No. 8 nationally; 105- pound division, Alicia “Ricky” Serratos, No. 1 in OC, No. 1 at Masters, No. 2 in state and No. 30 nationally; 110-pound division, America Franco; 115-pound division, Tiffany Nguyen, No. 4 in OC, No. 9 Masters and No. 15 state; 120-pound division; Anabelle Serratos, No. 2 in OC, No. 2 Masters, and No. 3 state; 125-pound division, Nelly Hernandez, No. 2 in OC, No. 4 Masters and No. 18 state; 130-pound division, Jennifer Lopez; 135-pound division, Olivia Lavanderos, 2024 CIF qualifier; 140-pound division, Yanni Sanchez, No. 1 in OC, No. 2 Masters and No. 8 state; 145-pound division, Jacky Antonio; 155-pound division, Alyiah Sandoval No. 4 in OC, No. 15 Masters; and 170-pound division, Angela “Sally” Salazar, No. 1 in OC, No. 1 Masters and No. 3 state.

“The CIF Dual Meet championship is only the first of our goals this year,” Byers said. “We are also striving to win CIF Individuals, CIF Southern Section Masters and CIF State.  We have a lot of work ahead of us in the upcoming month, and we are embracing every part of the journey. Every single one has a job to do for this program to be successful. 

“We could not do this without the hard work and dedication of our coaching staff, the great support from our School Administration, the Santa Ana Community and our Athletic Director Brian Lillie.”

Assisting Byers and Fernando Serratos are assistant coaches Jose Leon, Liborio Salazar, Monica Serratos and Alex Becerra.