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Rattler Wrestling had it’s best Regional tournament showing since the move to 6A, sending five to the UIL State Championships this coming weekend at the Cypress Berry Center in Cypress. Freshman Jesyka Banda won her first regional match and is looking forward to next season. Sophomore Esperanza Duran won a match as well before dropping a tough decision to a familiar opponent to end her year.
Caitlin Hagerty pinned her way to the Regional Championship match, falling short to the Champion to finish runner-up and advance to the state tournament. Gianna Moreno (38-0) is San Marcos’ first undefeated Regional Champion as well as 6A Girls Regional Champion, pinning all of her opponents on the way to being awarded the Girls Region IV Tournament Most Outstanding Wrestler.
For the boys, junior Julian Moreno fought through a nagging injury to win his first regional match by pin. Junior Zach Tolley won two matches to get within one win of possible placement and a state tourney berth.
Junior Matt Banda marched his way through the bracket to get to the Championship, conceding that match to his opponent due to injury to finish as runner-up and punch his ticket to State. Senior Mason Moreno lost a tough semifinals match to the eventual champion, but was able to finish the tourney with four wins to place third and advance to the state tournament. Senior Christopher Soliz II avenged an earlier regular season loss to win the first 6A boys’ Regional Championship, pinning his opponent in dramatic fashion with three seconds left to secure the title.
