Two Titans Earn Champion Title and MVP at December Wrestling Tournaments

The month of December was filled with success for the Grand Terrace High School’s wrestling team. Junior wrestler Anthony “AJ” Vargas won the title of the heavy weight champion and upper weight MVP at the two-day Colton Christmas Classic Wrestling Tournament on Dec. 19 and 20. Senior wrestler Angie Sigala also won the heavy weight champion title and upper weight MVP but at the South Hills Girls wrestling tournament on Dec. 21. Head Wrestling Coach John Odenbaugh explained that Vargas is a great athlete. He has been a Titan wrestler for two years now. Although only second year with the wrestling team, Vargas has been a Titan athlete every year that he has been at Grand Terrace High School; he is currently an all-league lineman for the Titan football team, as well. Vargas’ athleticism did not fail him at the 32-man two-day tournament. “He pinned all of his opponents,” Coach Odenbaugh added. “He dominated everyone…he’s a stud.” He referred to Sigala as a success story. On Monday, Dec. 21, she competed at the South Hills Girls wrestling tournament located in West Covina. The senior earned the same honors: Heavy Weight Champion and upper weight MVP of the tournament. According to Odenbaugh, this is her first year in wrestling and only her second time competing. “She’s very hard working, she’s involved in school and ASB,” he said. “It was a very nice surprise for us.” Odenbaugh explained that she has been a stat-girl previous years for their sports team but never participated until this year. “She just practiced, practiced, and practiced, and now she’s a champion,” he added. “She has this drive and she’s so determined. She has confidence now.” At the tournament, they presented her with the upper weight champion and MVP accolades. Odenbaugh explained that when she was holding all of her awards, she had a distinct look on her face. “I asked he what was wrong and she told me, ‘I’ve never been good at anything in my life’,” he said. “It was a great moment and she deserved it.” As it’s still mid-season in the wrestling world, Odenbaugh shared that both wrestlers are still dedicated to working hard and being prepared to compete to their best abilities in order to go farther and qualify for CIF.