SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - The Liberty Ranch Hawks girls’ wrestlers etched their names into program history this weekend, capturing first place at the 5th Annual Cotter Memorial Wrestling Tournament and claiming the first female team trophy in school history.

The historic victory marks not only the first time the Hawks girls have won a team championship, but also the first time any Liberty Ranch girls wrestling squad has placed first at a tournament in program history.

Leading the charge were Kaydince Silva and Amieleah Muela, who won individual titles and also earned special recognition as the tournament’s outstanding wrestlers. Silva claimed the Outstanding Lower Weight Wrestler award while capturing first place at 110 pounds, while Muela dominated the upper weights, taking first at 155 pounds and earning Outstanding Upper Weight Wrestler honors.

The Hawks’ championship run featured strong performances throughout the lineup. Emma McLain secured second place at 170 pounds, while Merlina Pantaleon added another silver medal with a runner-up finish at 100 pounds. Jordan Gold placed fifth at 125 pounds, and Sofia San Juan rounded out the scoring with a fifth-place finish at 145 pounds.

Girls’ wrestling Head Coach Cesar Candido beamed with pride when discussing his team’s breakthrough performance.

 

Tournament MVPs Kaydince Silva and Amieleah Muela pose with their trophies.

“Our girls have been putting in the work all year in the wrestling room, and it’s been showing in tournaments,” Candido said. “These ladies have been showing out every weekend and surprising all of us. The ladies were super excited to earn that trophy. They definitely earned it.”

The victory comes at a perfect time for the Hawks, providing a significant confidence boost as they prepare for league competition.

“Great boost of confidence heading into league duals this Wednesday at Galt,” Candido added.

The historic achievement represents the culmination of dedication and hard work from a program that continues to grow and develop. With individual awards, a team championship and momentum building heading into league action, the Liberty Ranch Hawks girls wrestling team has announced its arrival as a force to be reckoned with.

As the Hawks prepare for their league dual Wednesday, they do so with the knowledge that they’ve already accomplished something no Liberty Ranch wrestling team has done before; and they’re hungry for more.