Athlete of the Week: Imperial's Caldera is tops at CIF event By RYAN LEON, Sports Writer
Monday, January 21, 2008 10:17 PM PST
JOSELITO VILLERO PHOTO
Imperial High’s Priscilla Caldera dominates on the mat and found success at the CIF Southern Girls Regional Wrestling Tournament.
After moving up a weight class from 106 pounds to 114 pounds, Imperial High School senior Priscilla Caldera hasn’t been dominating the wrestling mat like she has in previous years.
She found success at the CIF Southern Girls Regional Wrestling Tournament this past weekend at Channels Island High in Oxnard.
She finished 5-0 at the tournament pinning her way to the top spot on the podium. Her biggest pin came in the championship against Krystian Johnson of Great Oak High in the second period.
“I feel I wrestled a good tournament, but before finals I was real nervous going into the match” Caldera said.
It’s the third straight time Caldera has taken home the gold from this tournament.
Caldera wasn’t the only local girl to do well at the tournament. Her freshman sister, Junnette, finished third in the 98-pound weight class.
So far this season, Caldera is 7-7 against boys in high school tournaments.
“I feel like I’m wrestling well being up a weight, it’s just the competition is harder at the tournaments this year” Caldera said. “I plan on wrestling a good tournament this weekend at the 106-pound weight class, the same class I plan on competing in at CIF (San Diego Section Division IV tournament).”
This weekend, she will test her skills in the Holtville Rotary tournament. It will be her first tournament this season at 106 pounds.
As for her goals, she hopes to win the CIF tournament as an individual, with her team and place at Masters. Last season, Caldera made history by becoming the first girl to ever win a section tournament in the state.
If Caldera succeeds in placing at the sectionals, she will become the first four-time placer for the Tigers.
Being in her last year at Imperial, Caldera is making plans for her future.
“I plan on attending Menlo College to continue my wrestling and studies” Caldera said.
Menlo College is one of only three schools in California that has a wrestling program for girls in the NAIA Division.
Caldera and the Tigers will host Southwest in Imperial Valley League action at 7 tonight in Imperial.
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