By Mike Clark
Of the more than 150 wrestlers who gathered at Curie on Jan. 25 for the Public League girls finals, no one had a journey quite like that of America Cabrera.
The Phoenix junior pinned a defending city champ, King’s Harmoni Puckett, in 4:29 to win the 140-pound title.
Afterward, she stood atop the awards stand to receive her medal, proudly holding a toddler: her 1-year-old son Ezra.
Cabrera’s wrestling career was interrupted by her pregnancy, but she was back on the mat last season in time to finish runner-up in the Public League finals at 155 pounds.
This year, wrestling two weight classes lower, she moved one step up on the podium.
“I was really worried, but I just had to trust in my technique and all the work I’ve been putting in,” said Cabrera, who is 15-3. “This year I had nothing holding me back.”
It helps that her practice partner, returning state placer AJ Grant (22-2), is one of the state’s elite wrestlers.
“I get whooped, but it makes me work every time,” Cabrera said.
Grant, who won the 145 city title, is one of many uplifted by watching Cabrera.
“For me, it’s really inspiring,” Grant said, “She was a freshman when I first started (as a sophomore in 2022). She was the first person I ever scrapped with in the wrestling room. We’ve been practice partners since.
“Last season was cut short. So to see her come back and come as far as she (has), even better than she was before — I don’t know. I just really love America, that’s really dope. I’m really proud of her.”
So is Naydelin Ramos, who’s in her first season as coach at her alma mater.
“She’s just very resilient, just like every one of the girls on this team,” Ramos said of Cabrera. “And as long as we continue to provide as educators and coaches — that we continue to provide that safe space for them, that’s what helps them prevail among situations like that.”
Cabrera’s support system also includes her family, who have had her and Ezra’s back.
“My parents gave me another opportunity to get myself back up on my feet, meaning going back to school,” she said. “I took that chance and I got back on the mat and that’s just been pushing me.
“If I miss being with (Ezra), I’m going to practice and I’m going to make it work. … I’m going to make it mean something.”
Phoenix dominated the meet, winning seven titles and outscoring runner-up Kelly 215.5-177.
The Firebirds’ other champs were: Jitzel Aranda (13-6) at 100, Diana Lopez-Jimenez (23-2) at 115, Mia Thomas (23-5) at 120, Marisol Castro-Duran (16-5) at 125 and Ariel Foreman (19-2) at 135.
Lopez-Jimenez is wrestling with a higher confidence level this season.
“I used to give up too easily,” she said. “But now I’m getting used to this, not wearing (down) under pressure.”
The only teams other than Phoenix with multiple champions were third-place Lane (139.5 points) and fourth-place Rickover (138) with two each.
Lane’s champs were Sofia Guerrero (24-5) at 105 and Nyah Lovis (33-5) at 135.
Lovis feels well-prepared for the upcoming state series.
“I think I’ve definitely been challenged more this year, which I actually like,” she said. “I’m facing more difficult opponents.”
Rickover had firsts from Camila Martinez-Gonzalez (27-7) and Jasmine Mejia (29-2) at 235.
Mejia won her first title in her third straight year reaching the championship match.
“It feels really great after getting second to (Aaliyah Grandberry of) Curie two years in a row,” Mejia said. “It’s a big achievement and it kind of feels like a combination of all the work I put in — like I was building up to something like this.”
Also winning titles were Kelly’s Sara Martinez-Lopera (22-0) at 170 and Lindblom’s Ashyia Scott (11-1) at 190.
Photos by Zoe Davis/OSA
