The last time Sunnyside High School in Tuscon and Liberty High School from Peoria faced each other in girls' wrestling, it was at last year's Arizona state championships, but the two teams met again Wednesday — on a football field.
With its gymnasium under construction, Sunnyside assembled a mat on and ran power to the football field, just inside the running track, for a regular-season dual meet during sixth hour of the school day. Teachers allowed their students to attend, creating a large crowd and unique atmosphere under the sun.
"Our girls are excited," Sunnyside athletic director Casey O'Brien told Tucson ABC affilate KGUN. "Everybody is going to watch them. Everyone is going to watch their talent and hard work."
Defending 107-pound individual state champion Iliana Castaneda recorded an early pin to give the crowd something to cheer about on what was a sun-splashed early afternoon. "It's a little hot," said Castaneda. "But, I think it made it a lot better, alot more exciting, honestly, Usually we're inside, but being outside is something new, so it was really good."
During an intermission, former Sunnyside boys' wrestler Roman Bravo-Young, was undefeated during his high school career, was recognized on the mat.
When asked by KGUN's Jason Barr to describe the atmosphere, Bravo-Young, a three-time All-American at Penn State, said, "It's good. We've got kids out here watching girls' wrestling. It didn't happen when I was around or even a thing, so it's cool to see. It's a pretty awesome thing going on."
The duel lasted only an hour, and ended when Amerika Lopez pinned her opponent in the final match. Sunnyside's win avenged its loss to Liberty in last year's state championship.
"Our administration, our coaching staff got all this put together," said head coach William Olivas. "All these students were cheering on our girls. It's something I've never seen before."
