Story by John Salzer

ROCKLIN, Calif - Santa Ana College Wrestling's female wrestler Polette Montano competed in the Cliff Keen Women's West Coast Tournament of Champions on Saturday, December 16th in Rocklin, California. It was Montano's first test against other college-level female athletes outside of the community college southern region and also marked her debut in freestyle wrestling. 

Montano competed in the 143 pound division and was matched up against Passion Hollins (unattached) in the quarter-finals. Montano was unable to get an offense going during the first period and received a warning for passivity. Her opponent also scored two points against Montano for pushing her out of bounds twice. In the second period, Montano was again unable to get an offense going, as Hollins kept her defense strong while being warned for passivity herself. A failed last second throw attempt by Montano resulted in a 2 point takedown score by Hollins, resulting in Montano losing the match 4-0.

Montano's next opponent in the consolation bracket was Angela Perarcy of Menlo University. An early takedown by Perarcy resulted in a 2-0 score before both wrestlers were returned to neutral position after no action per freestyle rules. Montano, however, was able to get her movements going, and scored a takedown to tie the match 2-2. After another return to the neutral position, Perarcy successfully executed a feet to back throw, resulting in a fall at 2:22 in the first period, sending Montano to the 7th place match.

Her final opponent of the day would by Wyatt Saling of Pacific University. Saling would score two takedowns off of Montano to take a 4-0, but Montano would score her first points of the match with a takedown shortly after. Montano would extend her lead by successfully executing a feet to back throw on Saling out of bounds, resulting in a 6-4 lead. Montano then would score by using a forward head and arm snap to get Saling off balance, before executing a suckback which would turn her opponent over, with Montano then securing a fall at 2:50 in the first period, resulting in a 7th place finish for the Santa Ana wrestler.