This dynamic wrestling duo finished their records as undefeated, four-time state champs

When it comes to California high school girls wrestling, no one in the sports’ history has been as dominant as Selma High’s Gracie Figueroa and Alleida Martinez.

As a final reminder of how imposing they’ve been, Figueroa and Martinez each captured their fourth straight CIF State championship Saturday at the Visalia Convention Center, while also concluding their high school records undefeated.

“I can’t believe it’s over,” Figueroa said. “I’m happy. But I’m sad.”

Figueroa was victorious in the 121-pound class, winning 9-0 with a methodical handling of Corona’s Caitlin Cardenas.

Figueroa finished her record 193-0, including 33-0 this season.

Martinez took down Mt. Whitney’s Ashley Venegas with a pin in 1 minute, 18 seconds during the 111-pound division, and didn’t look like she’d even broken a sweat afterward.

Martinez finished her career with more than 100 wins and no losses, including a 24-0 campaign this season.

“It’s just crazy,” Martinez said. “You work hard, good things happen.”

Figueroa and Martinez are the first female wrestlers to win four state championships while also finishing undefeated.

Figueroa also became the first to win a state title in a different weight class each year, with gold in the 111-pound class in 2015, 116 pounds in 2016, 126 pounds in 2017, then 121 pounds this year.

“To my knowledge, they’re the most dominant wrestlers in California history,” Selma coach Andy Munoz of Figueroa and Martinez, who will continue wrestling at Menlo College.

All the while, Selma ended the night hoisting their third straight CIF State team championship after amassing 142 points. Northview placed second with 85 points.

In addition to Figueroa’s and Martinez’s masterful performances, junior Jerzie Estrada won 8-0 over Liliana Vergara of Gregori in the 150-pound division.

Estrada won a CIF state title as a freshman for Selma two years ago. Then she seized a Colorado State championship last season before moving back to California and wrestling for Selma again this year.

“Girls wrestling is really big at Selma, and we have lots of support,” Estrada said. “It motivates us to keep working hard.

“It’s fun being part of the program.”

This story was originally published February 24, 2018 at 10:27 PM with the headline "This dynamic wrestling duo finished their records as undefeated, four-time state champs."