The Kern Valley girls wrestling team is ready to take to the mat. Gearing up for the season, the Lady Broncs return six wrestlers.
Fourth-year head coach Angel Anderson will guide the charges. The Lady Broncs have 12 wrestlers on the squad this season led by the six returners. There are three seniors, four juniors, one sophomore, and four freshmen. Coming back to take to the mats are seniors, Ashley Denys Espinoza, Karla Lozano, and Megan Abbott. A pair of juniors that will return are Lillian Ministero and Summer Santos. The final returner is the lone sophomore on the team, Reiss Ritchison. New to the team are juniors Rebekah Harwell and Taylor Beam. The four freshmen that will round out the squad are Annmarie Champers, Keira Hayes, Naomi Tapia Mendoza, and Bobbie Pruitt.
The goal for the Lady Broncs this year according to the coach are to grow as a wrestler, try to stay injury free. Anderson said when asked what the goal as a coach this season said, “Keep all the girls safe, healthy, and a constate state of improving.” The coach plans to attain this goal by putting in the work and making sure to stay available for her charges. The coach said, “To continue to work with them every day and provide support when needed.”
The non-league is where the Lady Broncs will gain valuable mat time and to see where they are at versus opponents. Limited individual matches, but plenty of tournaments will give this team the chance to gather experience for the future. Anderson commenting about the non-league said, “Watching the girls evolve not only in the sport but physically and mentally.”
The HDL isn’t really a league as currently there are just two teams. Bishop and Kern Valley will battle for bragging rights when it comes to the league. There are other possibilities, but only time will tell if the HDL will add another girls team. The coach said, “We really only have Bishop; this year we are hoping to have Desert join the league. Tehachapi isn’t in our league but we have two duels together this year.”
Looking inward to the strengths of the squad, the theme for the year is team equals family. Anderson said, “They are like a family. They stand together and support one another as if they were really sisters. That’s the best thing about coaching this sport.” On the flip side, areas that need work for the team are at this point are a work in progress. The head coach said, “It’s too early to tell, but there is always room for improvement. Maybe getting my girls more comfortable taking shots on their opponents.”
The closing thoughts from Anderson about the upcoming season. The coach said, “I’ve been really blessed with the girls that come out for this sport, working with teenagers (girls especially) has its challenges but they are such a great group, it really doesn’t feel like a ‘job’.”
As the wrestling season gets underway, the Lady Broncs seem to be off to a good start. A coach that wants them to do well, and the girls desire to become a family as they move forward. That looks like a good combination and the right path to possible success.
Lady Broncs wrestling team returns six to begin season
