Brian S. Doyle
On Saturday, Jan. 13th, the Klein Oak Girls claimed the crown of their home-sponsored 2024 Gator Roll. The top five team finishers Looked like this:
100 lbs:
The final two wrestlers were Heaven Herrera of Conroe Grand Oaks (29-5) #8-6A and Celeste Gonzalez (28-5) of Katy Paetow. Gonzalez was the #2 Seed and Herrera, the #9 seed. I don’t understand Herrera getting that seed with a 27-5 record coming into the tournament, except that on the bracket, she was listed as having a 0-0 record. Mistake or laziness of filling out the entry? Either way, if the computer does automatic seeding, it will place her behind most of the other wrestlers, especially when you see #10 and #11 were also listed as being 0-0.
Anyway, Herrera beat Chloe Hanes of Klein Oak and Andrea Nunez of Klein Collins to get to the Final match. This match was a doozie. Gonzalez got the only takedown of the first period right before the buzzer. In the 2nd period Herrera chose down. She made her escape, but was taken down and was taken down by Gonzalez just inside the 1-minute mark. Herrera made another escape to end the period down 4-2. Working on top for the first time in the match, Herrera was able to turn Gonzalez for a three-point nearfall, taking a lead for the first time, unfortunately she gave up a penalty point to even the match, and that is how it would be at the end of regulation. In the first overtime period, Herrera was able to get her first takedown of the match to seal the victory, 7-5 in SV-1.
107 Lbs:
Jeannie Hawkins (23-1), ranked #18-5A, and the first seed from Richmond Foster would make her way to the finals on the strength of two pins to meet second seed, Sarah Van Horn of Klein Collins (13-6). Van Horn’s takedown of Hawkins would last until the last minute of the third period when Hawkins was able to put Van Horn on her back and ride her out the rest of the period for a 3-2 decision.
Thai Dam of Lamar Consolidated pinned Amanda Alvarado in the consolation finals for third place…
