Sports
Beaumont High hosting state wrestling qualifier
Cougars' Amanda Hendey looking to win second straight title
The best female high school wrestlers in California – including Beaumont High’s Amanda Hendey – will be competing in this weekend’s CIF Regional girls' wrestling invitational.
The event, a qualifier for the CIF State Championships later this month, opens today at Beaumont High School. Matches begin at 1pm and the tournament concludes on Saturday.
The top 12 finishers in each weight class will advance to the state tournament, scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Feb. 25-26, at Lemoore High School.
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Beaumont will actually have a contingent of female wrestlers competing in the event. Joining Hendey in the field will be Malina Nelson (108), Breana Rodriguez (114), Alejandra Voight (118) and Selena Montes (138).
It will be a home court advantage for Hendey, who really needs no advantage at all.
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Hendey is the defending CIF Regional champion at 126 lbs. and late last year signed a letter of intent from Oklahoma City University.
Still, the thought of competing in front of family, friends and local fans – on her home court – is something she won’t forget.
“It’s definitely an honor to have it here,” Hendey said. “I am so thankful to everyone who made it possible to have it here. It means a lot because of all the time and work they put in to get it.”
Beaumont, as a team, completed the regular season with a 4-1 record and a share of the Mountain Pass League title. The Cougars, who had hoped to win the title outright, stumbled early against Citrus Valley.
“The one match we lost was by one point and we didn’t have a full lineup,” Hendey said. “We ended up facing the toughest team, next to us, early in league. It was kind of bittersweet because we won [a share of league] but we had to share it.”
Beaumont will send 11 wrestlers to the CIF Individuals. That group includes three league champions: Ronnie Downs at 119, Kamran Khodadadi at 189, and heavyweight Anthony Gordon. Winning runner-up honors included Terrill Sidener at 112, Anthony Freeman at 140, Chandler Schuelke at 145, Ricardo Montes at 160, and Evan Roberts at 215.
Hendey finished third in league for the second straight time. Christian Salas (152) also placed third.
Beaumont will be at Redlands East Valley on Saturday for the CIF-Southern Section Div. 4 team duals.
