Sariyah Jones, Tiana Jackson win state wrestling titles

The struggle and sacrifice faded as the spotlight at the CIF State Girls Wrestling Championships captured a bond between state champions separated by school.

Sariyah Jones of Enochs and Tiana Jackson of Central Catholic climbed the victory stand on Saturday at the Visalia Convention Center, clear-cut winners in a season that began with uncertainty for the Star Wrestling teammates.

Jones punctuated a brilliant high school career with her second straight state title.

The Enochs senior defeated Aleeah Gould of Anaheim-Canyon 2-1 in the 106-pound final, completing a 5-0 tour through the nation’s toughest high school wrestling tournament.

“I feel like the second one is much sweeter,” said Jones, who has committed to Oklahoma City University, a four-time national champion. “A lot of the girls were coming for me because I was No. 1.”

A fast finish was in order after a slow start to the season.

Jones’ senior campaign stalled just as it began. She suffered a severe ankle injury on the second day of practice when a teammate rolled up on her. She sat out the first two months, immobilized by the pain.

“For her to come back and shake off rust and find her rhythm and repeat was very special,” said coach Ruben Jones, Sariyah’s father. “Wrestling is like a lot of things in life – it’s a perishable skill. If you can’t maintain a high level of competition, you start to lose it.

“It was an ankle injury, and she couldn’t do anything – no jogging or drilling. She was off her feet for two months, so she had to come back almost from scratch.”

Jones never lost sight of her goal, though. Bum ankle and all, she was determined to retain her state title. She set a manageable goal, targeting a return at the Sac-Joaquin Section divisional tournament, the first leg of the postseason.

“I knew it was possible,” the younger Jones said. “Even if I was hurt, I would have still wrestled. It was tough, but I accepted the challenge.”

Moments after Jones’ triumph, Jackson outworked No. 1 seed and former state champion Lauren Mason of Woodcreek in the 111-pound final, achieving her own measure of vindication with a 7-6 win.

Mason had beaten Jackson twice this season, most recently during Mason’s run to a Masters title.

Jackson’s state crown came with great sacrifice. She arrived at Central Catholic as a versatile athlete – with a background in jiujitsu – and her talents were coveted by many of the Raiders’ athletic programs.

She dabbled in water polo and track before making a full-time commitment to wrestling following a heartbreaking loss to end her sophomore season.

Jackson was beaten in the “blood round” at State last year, rendering her a spectator during the medal rounds. That day, she vowed to return a more polished grappler and finish the job.

“I won tournaments, but I didn’t know any (takedown moves),” she said of her first two years on the mat.

Jackson committed herself to Star Wrestling, coached by Ruben Jones. There, she trained with Sariyah Jones and competed in freestyle tournaments across the country.

“You have to commit 100 percent. College coaches want results,” coach Jones told Jackson. “You have to produce and bring your ‘A’ game every time.”

She did, defeating four straight section champions en route to the title: Grecia Monasterio of West Covina (Southern Section), the No. 2 seed; Monica Acevedo-Pedraza of Bell (Los Angeles); Jessica Sanchez of Tulare Union (Central Section); and Mason.

“I could feel myself getting better, strong and faster on the mat,” Jackson said.

Enochs finished fourth with 87.5 points, trailing champion Selma (103), Hillcrest (97.5) and Tokay (89).

“The hard thing for us is the number of girls we take to State. We took the ‘Fab Four.’ We qualified seven for the Masters tournament, hoping we could squeak a few more in,” coach Jones said. “It’s just hard for us to compete with teams that bring seven, eight and nine girls.”

The Eagles’ bid to retain their team title was foiled by an injury at 106 and a late takedown in the 137-pound final.

Micaela Kent was leading the third-place match against Victoria Borrego of Terra Nova with seconds left when Kent suffered a rib injury.

“She tried to hang on,” coach Jones said, but the pain was unbearable. Kent lost 11-7 and immediately was taken to the hospital, where the junior was treated for bruised ribs.

Sophomore Katrina Guevara also was nearing a victory in the 137-pound final when Del Oro’s Kaleigh Burrage executed a takedown in overtime. Guevara appeared to have the upper hand, throwing her opponent to her back, but Burrage wiggled free and secured the decisive takedown in a 3-1 victory.

Sophomore Rory Coscia lost to James Logan’s Nguyet Tran 6-3 in the third-place match at 116.

While he celebrated two state champions on Saturday evening, coach Jones also looked to the future. Three of his “Fab Four” return, and their setbacks at State will set the tone for their 2016-17 seasons.

That much was clear in his private discussions with Guevara, who just missed a crown of her own.

“That lit a fire under her. She was inches away from being a state champion,” coach Jones said. “She’s a fiery and feisty young lady, very aggressive when she wrestles. ... She wants to come back and take one step higher on that podium.”

This story was originally published February 28, 2016 at 10:35 AM with the headline "Sariyah Jones, Tiana Jackson win state wrestling titles."