VISALIA –Losses by decision in her first two matches ended Jessie Flynn”s day and Middletown High School wrestling career on Friday at the CIF State Girls” Wrestling Champion-ships in Visalia.
Flynn, the North Coast Section champion and No. 2 seed in the 189-pound bracket at the state tournament, lost 7-0 to Judith Reyes of Channel Islands in the consolation bracket after dropping a 5-2 decision to Torey Barrett of Pioneer Valley in a first-round match.
Reyes and Barrett both compete in the Southern Section, where they placed two-three.
“That girl was a really good wrestler,” Middletown coach Brian Hunt said of Reyes, who is only a freshman.
Barrett, Flynn”s first opponent, turned in a solid effort as well, according to Hunt.
“She stayed away from Jessie”s strengths and it worked,” Hunt said.
While going two-and-out in the double-elimination tournament was the last thing Flynn had on her mind entering Friday”s action, Hunt said there are no easy matches at the state tournament.
“If you”re here, you”re a pretty good wrestler and both of the girls that beat Jessie are definitely bringing home some hardware,” Hunt said. “I”m interested to see where they end up.”
Flynn was one of two Lake County girls entered in the state tournament — Kelseyville unseeded 170-pounder Evelyn Santiago was the other — and both were trying to become the first county girl to win a medal at the state tourney.
“There is nothing to be ashamed of,” Hunt said of Flynn”s tough day. “She”s bummed right now, but she had a hell of a senior season. I”m thrilled for her.”
Santiago had a first-round bye before losing to No. 1 seed Alexandria Glaude of Christian Brothers High School by first-round pin (27 seconds). She was also pinned in the first round by Crystal Soto of Overfelt High School a few hours later in the consolation bracket, ending her day.
Kelseyville coach Rob Brown said Santiago, only in her second year of wrestling, had a great year that included a second-place finish in the sectional tournament two weeks ago.
“A lot of the younger girls (in the middle school) look up to her and want to be just like her,” Brown said of the interest the high school wrestling team has sparked among younger girls in the Kelseyville Unified School District.
Santiago has one more shot at winning a state medal since she is only a junior.
Drawing the No. 1 seed in her first match was a tough break, according to Brown, not that Santiago seemed to mind.
“Evelyn reacts the same whether she”s going to wrestle the No. 1 seed or someone who hasn”t wrestled before,” Brown said. “She doesn”t let it get to her. Once that match was over, she had forgotten about it. That”s just the kind of wrestler she is.”
