ATHERTON, CA – Menlo Women's Wrestling hosted the Cascade Collegiate Conference Championship Tournament inside Haynes-Prim Pavilion and entered 12 Oaks to compete in arguably the most competitive tournament across the nation. All 12 would earn a top 5 placement including 4 Champions, 5 Runner-ups, a 3rd place finish, and two others placed to secure the Championship title as a team with 176.5 points. At the awards ceremony, Head Coach Michael Ayala was named Coach of the Year in his first year at the helm for his success in the Cascade. Menlo's 12 wrestlers will now turn their attention towards the NAIA National Tournament taking place in Jamestown, North Dakota in March.    

CCC Championship Tournament Direct Link

 

Champions Status!

Ajayzee Zaballos (116) - Champion

#6 nationally ranked Ajayzee Zaballos was hungry to take home the Championship title after placing 2nd last year as a sophomore. Zaballos went 3-0 on the day and held full control of the mat. Her first match of the day was against Kadence Beck (EOU) and after two minutes and 30 seconds the Oaks was able to lay down the pin to advance to the semifinals. Ajayzee would face #15 Isabelle Asuncion (Providence) and not allow a single point against as she tallied a 10-0 tech fall to make it to the championship round. The championship match would bring up #12 Marissa Kurtz (SOU) as Zaballos' final foe of the tournament. Ajayzee totaled 5 takedowns, 3 of them in the first period, to take the 11-4 victory and win the title at 116. This will be Ajayzee's second appearance at the NAIA National Tournament!          

 

Alana Vivas (123) - Champion

Reigning National Runner-Up will be returning to the big stage in two weeks after claiming the 123-title at the CCC Championships. #6 Alana began her day with an 11-2 decision over #20 Paige Chafin (EOU). In the semifinals, Vivas would face Alicia Frank (Providence) and gain a 1-0 lead going into the second period. Alana picked up the pace and was able to get 3 takedowns before earning the pin after 5 minutes and 16 seconds. A medical forfeit would secure the Championship title and punch her ticket to her second National appearance!  

 

Desiree Jones (143) - Champion

#7 nationally ranked Desiree Jones has had a dominant year all season and proved her rankings at the CCC Championships! Desiree's first match was against Charlize Jewell (Vanguard) and did not let up a single point in her 11-0 tech fall. #16 Kailey Rees (Providence) was up next for Jones who laid down the pin in 2 minutes and 50 seconds to advance to the championship match to see a fellow teammate. One more 10-0 tech fall in the end would be enough to take home the Championship title and give Desiree the chance to once again earn All-American status!   

 

Tavia Heidelberg-Tillotson (191) - Champion

Reigning Cascade Conference Champion has done it again! Tavia did not have to wrestle until the championship round but it was the most important match for the Oaks in team points. Southern Oregon had taken over in team score after a pin at 170 would give them a 1.5 lead, so it came down to Tavia to bring home the Championship title for herself and for her team. The pressure appeared to fuel her fire because in just one minute and 26 seconds, the Oak laid down the pin over #17 Trinity Tafoya (EOU) and won the tournament. Haynes-Prim Pavilion was roaring in celebration as the Oaks were able to cap off a tremendous season with a Conference Championship victory. The 4x All-American will be returning to the National stage once more in her final go-around as an Oak!          

 

Oak Placers and National Qualifiers

Kayla McKinley-Johnson (101) - 2nd place

Haley Narahara (123) - 2nd place

Louisa Schwab (130) - 2nd place

Alexandra Lopez (143) - 2nd place

Shannon Workinger (155) - 2nd place

Kalila Shrive (170) - 3rd place

Stephanie Chavez (136) - 4th place

Samantha Barragan (136) 5th place

 

Up Next…

The 12 Oak wrestlers will be preparing for the NAIA National Championship Tournament taking place in Jamestown, North Dakota on Friday- Saturday, March 8-9!