As a wrestling mom, my weekends often mean early mornings, long drives, and hours spent on bleachers, cheering my heart out. This past weekend was a little different as I traveled to the BootJack Brawl. My daughter has graduated and is no longer wrestling at the high school level, but her teammates and friends still fill me with pride, nervous energy, and deep admiration. Wrestling isnāt just about physical strength; itās about grit, strategy, and heart.
I watched Hailyn Gonzalez from Mission Sharyland Pioneer take first place in her 100-pound weight class. Her win over Arleth Rodriguez from McAllen Memorial in a hard-fought 6-3 decision was inspiring. Every move Hailyn made showed her dedication to the sport and her training. I couldnāt help but think about how much time and effort goes into preparing for moments like these. I know these young ladies spend countless hours in the gym, working on technique and drilling.
In the 107-pound category, Ava Aragon from McAllen brought home gold, pinning Alondra Garza of Brownsville Lopez at the 5:45 mark. Watching Avaās technique and determination shine through was incredible. I saw Alondraās disappointment, but I know sheāll come back strongerāthis sport is all about learning from tough moments.
The 114-pound division was another exciting one to watch. Victoria Salinas of Brownsville Lopez claimed first place with a decisive victory over Sophia Borrego of McAllen Memorial. Victoria, a junior, demonstrated her skill and strength, pinning Sophia at the 5:59 mark. Sophia, only a sophomore, gave a great effort, and Iām sure sheāll continue to grow as a competitor. Victoriaās win was a testament to her hard work and ability to stay focused under pressure.
The matches were intense across the board. In the 120-pound division, Matilda Villarreal of Brownsville Rivera dominated, securing her first-place win against Dayana Gonzalez of Rio Grande City. Matilda controlled the match until she sealed her victory with a pin at 5:35.
