Rising Through the Ranks: Coach Anthony Cluff Reflects on Youngker High School’s 2025 Wrestling Season
The 2025 winter wrestling season was one of grit, growth, and quiet triumphs for Youngker High School’s wrestling team. Though the squad was small in number, Head Coach Anthony Cluff proudly recounts a year filled with leadership, resilience, and significant accomplishments from both experienced athletes and emerging talent.
This season wasn’t defined by the size of the team, but rather by the size of their hearts—and the legacy left by a special senior class.
Leadership at the Core: Sevanna and Vanessa Aguirre
If one had to identify the foundation upon which Youngker’s wrestling season was built, it would be Sevanna and Vanessa Aguirre. These two senior standouts not only carried their own weight on the mat, but they also uplifted the entire wrestling room—boys and girls alike. As four-year wrestlers, their commitment ran deep, and their influence stretched far beyond their individual performances.
“They created an atmosphere in our room of hard work and sacrifice,” Coach Cluff emphasized. That environment, cultivated through daily discipline and unrelenting effort, became a defining strength of the team and set the tone for everyone who stepped onto the mat.
Sevanna closed out her high school career as a two-time state placer, including a state runner-up finish in her sophomore year. Vanessa, meanwhile, etched her name into the record books as a four-time section champion, four-time state placer, and finally, a state champion in her senior season. Their accolades are impressive, but perhaps even more meaningful was the leadership and example they set for the team.
“Words cannot describe what my two seniors brought to our team,” Cluff stated.
Navigating Highs and Lows
Like any athletic season, the 2025 campaign had its share of challenges. One of the most significant setbacks came early, when Yasmi Barba—one of the team’s brightest prospects and a state qualifier from the previous year—suffered a season-ending injury.
Despite the emotional and competitive blow, the team pulled together. Cluff credits his wrestlers for their mature and constructive responses to adversity. “They were quick to watch the video, ask questions, and then work on any of these situations in practice,” he explained. That culture of continuous improvement became a hallmark of the team’s resilience and drive.
A critical turning point occurred over Christmas break. It was during this time that wrestlers Maliha Cross and Verna Tagolielagi began to see the results of their hard work. For Maliha in particular, the progress was nothing short of remarkable.
“She started out as someone that had never wrestled before and ended up placing 3rd in our state tournament,” Cluff shared proudly. From a novice to a state medalist in a single season, Maliha’s transformation symbolized what is possible with belief, support, and unrelenting determination.
Building the Program’s Future
While saying goodbye to seniors like Sevanna and Vanessa will be tough, Coach Cluff is already looking ahead with excitement. Three returning wrestlers will form the backbone of next year’s squad, and the momentum generated by the team’s success is already spreading throughout the campus.
“The growth of the program excites me,” Cluff said. “As the ladies we have achieve success, other ladies on campus see this and want to be a part of it.”
For a coach building a program, this is the kind of organic growth that’s worth its weight in gold. Interest is driven by inspiration, and inspiration comes from seeing teammates succeed—and knowing you can be next.
A Focused Offseason
As Youngker’s wrestlers move into the offseason, Coach Cluff is clear about the program’s top priority: expanding the roster. Wrestling, especially at the high school level, often comes down to numbers. More participants mean deeper lineups, more competition in the practice room, and a broader base to build from.
“I want to improve our numbers,” Cluff said. “Getting more girls involved is a big step toward building a sustainable, competitive team.”
Recruitment will be crucial, and so will continuing to foster the culture that the Aguirre sisters helped create—a space where athletes push each other, grow together, and compete not just for themselves but for the team.
Final Reflections and Recognition
There’s a certain poetic quality to the story of this year’s team. From the early season injury to Yasmi Barba, to the rise of Maliha Cross, to the dominance and mentorship of Sevanna and Vanessa Aguirre—this was a season shaped by challenges, but defined by growth.
Coach Cluff’s approach—measured, respectful, and focused on both results and character—echoes throughout his reflections. His pride in his athletes is palpable, not only in their wins but in their attitudes, their leadership, and the groundwork they’ve laid for the next generation of Youngker wrestlers.
For fans, families, and supporters wanting to relive the action or track the wrestlers’ achievements, stats and match details can be found at TrackWrestling.com, the team’s official stat resource.
Conclusion: More Than Just a Season
The 2025 season at Youngker High School was more than just a chapter in the program’s history—it was a foundational year that showcased what’s possible when dedication meets opportunity. With seniors like Sevanna and Vanessa Aguirre closing their storied careers on a high note and underclassmen like Maliha Cross stepping into the spotlight, the program proved it has the pieces to build a strong future.
Coach Anthony Cluff, reflecting on all the team endured and achieved, made it clear: the work continues, the legacy lives on, and the future looks incredibly bright.
Share With