BAKERSFIELD, CA. – Senior Frank Herrera of Huntington Park High made history two weeks ago as he became the Spartan's first-ever state qualifier by winning the Los Angeles City Section Championship at 220-pounds.
He had high hopes of being a bracket buster and claiming the top spot at the California state tournament. However, that was not to be as Herrera bow down of the tournament after losing 11-3 to the Central Coast Section Champion Josh Cortez of Gilroy High in the round of 16.
Herrera did manage to upset # 11 Eric Hayward (Vacaville) 9-3 and then defeated the No. 4 kid from the Central Section Hunter Weimer (Monache) 5-1 to go 2-2 in the tournament.
Injuries kept him from competing throughout the regular season as he only competed in a few dual-meets and won the Downey 32-man tournament early in December.
By going 2-2 at the tough state tournament, Herrera once again made history for the Spartans as he won a pair of matches. After session II, only Jairo Rivera (Birmingham) is the last standing wrestler from the L.A. Section in the boy’s tournament.
Herrera will spend a couple of months in California before embarking on his journey of walking-on the Penn State wrestling team and compete for Coach Cael Sanderson. The future looks bright for the kid from the tough streets of Huntington Park.
Great accomplishment for sure, 220 this year was no joke!
Also thank you for shining a spotlight on this young man, indeed his future looks bright!