In a season marked by determination, resilience, and standout leadership, Youngker High School’s wrestling program, led by Head Coach Anthony Cluff, continued to build its identity as one of grit and growth, especially within its rising girls' team.
Senior Leadership that Sets the Tone
At the heart of Youngker’s success were Sevanna Aguirre and Vanessa Aguirre, four-year veterans and the undisputed leaders of the team. Their influence reached far beyond the girls’ squad—they inspired the entire room, including the boys’ team, with their relentless work ethic and high standards.
Sevanna finished her career as a four-time state qualifier and two-time state placer, including a runner-up finish as a sophomore.
Vanessa’s résumé is even more decorated: four-time section champion, four-time state placer, state runner-up as a junior, and 2025 state champion in her final season.
Coach Cluff put it simply: “Words cannot describe what my two seniors brought to our team.”
Overcoming Setbacks, Building Momentum
Though the team was small in size, it made up for it with heart. One tough moment came early, with the season-ending injury to Yasmi Barba, a state qualifier from the previous year. Still, the team rallied behind one another, and Christmas break marked a key turning point.
Wrestlers Maliha Cross and Verna Tagolielagi began to see the payoff from their hard work. For Cross in particular, it was a breakout year: she started the season with no experience and ended it as a third-place finisher at the state tournament.
Growth, Development & Grit
Youngker’s wrestlers embraced every challenge—whether it was injuries, tough matches, or pressure situations. Their response? Watch the footage, ask questions, and get back to work. That mindset fueled consistent growth throughout the season.
Coach Cluff praised the team's resilience: “All our ladies responded well. They worked hard, stayed focused, and embraced every opportunity to improve.”
A Promising Future
Looking ahead, the excitement is building around the returning core of three wrestlers who will help lay the foundation for an expanding program. The team’s recent success is already attracting interest from more young women on campus, creating momentum that could bring even more growth in the seasons to come.
Offseason Focus
With talent and culture in place, the offseason focus is clear: grow the roster. As Coach Cluff notes, “As the ladies we have achieved success, other ladies on campus see this and want to be a part of it.”
Stats & More
Follow Youngker Wrestling’s progress and individual results on TrackWrestling, where you can find full match data and tournament results.
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