It’s time for wrestling in the Moore League as we head into the Winter season. The Long Beach Poly girls wrestling team has had a dominant run over the last few years, but the rest of the Moore League is looking to knock them from the top spot.
Poly
The Jackrabbits had a historic season last year as they claimed another league title and kept it rolling as they went on to win eight individual league titles at the Moore League finals last year.
Poly coach Ken Lee has plenty of reason to be optimistic this season as he has plenty of talent returning from last year. While they won’t return CIF champion Dalila Preciado who was a CIF champion, the Jackrabbits have plenty of depth with talent returning across all weight classes.
Selieni Paseka is one of the top wrestlers returning for the Jackrabbits and is currently the top-ranked wrestler in her weight class in the CIF Southern Section.
“We have a good group of girls coming back,” Lee said. “We also have a lot of new girls coming back and I’m looking forward to see how they kind of fall into those cracks and work hard.”
Paseka has already gotten off to a great start this season taking gold in the 190-pound bracket at the Lady Big Kat Tournament last weekend.
Along with Paseka, the Jackrabbits will return Riley Pestanas, Nicole Comia and Kylie Carrera who all won league titles last year.
They’ll be joined by Devyn Kripp who was a runnerup last year.
Lakewood
Whenever you’re able to have a CIF champion on your team it’s always a good thing. That’s what Lakewood has in senior Ashley Wafer who has had a storied high school career that included winning a CIF title last season.
The Lancers are the only Moore League team with a returning CIF champion and are looking to compete for a spot in the CIF-SS Division 3 playoffs as Lakewood will be the host site for the D3 playoffs.
Wafer is excited heading into her senior year, and she will provide a lot of knowledge and know-how for her teammates.
“The team has grown a lot this year,” Wafer said. “Although I miss (Esper) I think my new teammates are going to be good for the team.”
Wafer is excited to enter the season after finally winning CIF.
“I enjoy being CIF champion,” Wafer said. “I feel like it’s about time.”
At last year’s the Lancers had five wrestlers make it to the title bouts with Kayla Selvidge, Esper Sanchez-Kinner and Wafer taking home league titles. Lakewood also took home three league titles – second most of all teams.
Millikan
The Millikan’ girls wrestling team is entering the 2025 season with confidence and depth and head coach Daniel Lopez couldn’t be more optimistic.
“I’m feeling pretty good about this team,” he said. “We’re filling most of the weight classes this year, which has been a thorn in our side the last couple of seasons. Two years ago, we actually lost a close one to Poly because of a forfeit. This year, that shouldn’t be an issue.”
Millikan brings back a strong core, including all four of last year’s league finalists. Returning league champions Katie Preciado and Gabriella Bonilla, along with runner-ups Amaya McIntyre and Isabella Martinez, headline a group with both experience and hunger.
“All four are returning,” the coach said. “Three of them are seniors, and Gabby’s a junior. She’s our captain and had a great offseason. She’s looking to add another league title this year.”
Senior Jaylen Escala is another wrestler to watch. After a strong summer, she’s expected to compete at either 105 or 110 pounds.
“She’s really come alive,” the coach said. “We’re expecting her to surprise some people and shake up the league.”
Millikan also has an influx of young talent. Around 35 girls are in the room this season, including 15–20 freshmen.
“We’ve got a great group of newcomers and about five or six sophomores making the jump,” he said. “In girls wrestling, you don’t really have a JV level – you’re varsity right away – so those girls who took their lumps last year are coming back much stronger.”
Among the team’s rising stars is sophomore Chelsea Pueo, who’s earned praise for her dedication and steady improvement.
“She’s looking like one of my best wrestlers right now,” the coach said.
As for returning standout Amaya McIntyre, she’s coming off an injury but has made big strides in skill and composure.
“She’s always been fired up and scrappy, but now she’s learning to control it and really wrestle,” he said.
With key returners, improved depth, and an energetic freshman class, Milikan looks ready to challenge Long Beach Poly’s recent run at the top of the Moore League — and maybe take back the crown.”
Wilson
Wilson is ready to compete after having a solid offseason of work. After having five wrestlers make it to the league title bouts, the Bruins have a good core that will look to compete with the rest of the league.
Junior Maddie Emigh, who has shown steady improvement each year. Emigh had an impressive run last season, finishing as a runner-up and entering this season with high expectations.
Another standout junior, Adrienne Malsberger, has also been dominant in recent years. Though she has faced tough competition – including a top-ranked wrestler from Lakewood – Malsberger continues to close the gap and is poised for a breakthrough season. Her consistent performance and determination make her one to watch as the season unfolds.
Senior Jocelyn Flores brings veteran leadership to the lineup. A runner-up last year, Flores has continued to put in the work and looks ready to make another strong postseason push. Alongside her is fellow senior Danielle Roscoe, another proven competitor who provides both skill and stability to the upper weight classes.
While those athletes lead the way, the coaching staff emphasized that the entire squad is putting in serious effort and showing real promise.
“We’ve got a pretty cool group this year,” Wilson coach Seth Wegter said. “They’re coming back experienced and enthusiastic — two things that really matter for a good team.”
Jordan
On the north side, the Panthers have a young team but coach Alberto De La Cruz is looking forward to how his team develops.
“We are a relatively young program and we are trying to grow and find the right pace for the team,” De La Cruz said.
Last season, Jordan had one league champion in Liliana Sarmiento who took the 172-pound title.
Jaeden Acevedo, Emelia Defour, Alicia Martinez for the girls team are expected to perform well.
Compton/Cabrillo
It will be another year where the Compton and Cabrillo programs combine to field a team as Cabrillo coach Vince Ortiz and Compton coach Joseph Williams work together to lead their team.
Ortiz is excited about Jaguar junior captain Juliana Reyes who returns to the team after a historic season.
“Juliana was our first ever CIF qualifier at Cabrillo,” Ortiza said. “And looking forward to her take it a step further this year.”
The Jaguars are also looking forward to newcomer Carnijah Kirkland who is wrestling for the first time this season.
“We are expecting exciting things from her,” Ortiz said. “This will probably be the most experienced girls team Cabrillo has ever had.”
It should be a fun wrestling season. The girls league finals will be hosted by Poly on Jan. 29 and CIF playoffs will start that weekend on Jan. 31.
2025 Moore League Champion: Long Beach Poly
2025 Moore League Individual Champions:
100 – Poly’s Reighlene Valdez
105 – Poly’s Riley Pestanas
110 – Poly’s Nicole Comia
115 – Poly’s Daniela Angles
120 – Poly’s Roselyn Uce
125 – Millikan’s Gabriela Bonilla
130 – Poly’s Dalila Preciado
135 – Poly’s Kylie Carrera
140 – Millikan’s Kayde Preciado
145 – Lakewood’s Kayla Selvidge
155 – Poly’s Berlynn Solia-Tago
170 – Jordan’s Liliana Sarmiento
190 – Lakewood’s Esper Sanchez-Kinney
235 – Lakewood’s Ashley Wafer
