Northview High: The Pioneers of Women’s Wrestling in the Southern Section

COVINA, CA. – While West Covina High School captured the spotlight early with back-to-back state titles when the CIF first sanctioned the girls’ state wrestling tournament in 2011, true dominance in sports is defined by longevity. If you want to talk about the real pioneers of women’s wrestling in California’s Southern Section, you have to talk about the Northview Vikings.

Here is a look at the incredible history of this powerhouse program, from the early unsanctioned days to their modern dynasty, along with a complete year-by-year breakdown of their state placers.

Before It Was Official: The Unsanctioned Era (2002–2010)

Long before the CIF officially adopted the girls’ state tournament in 2011, there was an unofficial state tournament that ran from 2002 to 2010. During this formative era of the sport, Northview High was already establishing a culture of excellence.

The standard was set early when Vanessa Butanda captured a state title at

132 pounds in 2002. However, the true trailblazer of the program was Tatiana Padilla. A rare, once-in-a-lifetime grappler, Padilla became a staggering four-time state champion from 2005 to 2008. She set the bar impossibly high for the girls’ program and even represented Northview on the boys’ side, competing in the boys’ CIF Southern Section tournament during her career.

The unsanctioned era also saw championships from Maria Hernandez (98 lbs) in 2007 and Brazel Marquez (122 lbs) in 2010, proving the Vikings had a deep pipeline of talent ready to explode onto the official stage.

A Legacy of Consistency

Since the CIF sanctioned girls’ wrestling in 2011, Northview has been a relentless force. Despite capturing the coveted team state title just once in 2013, the Vikings have placed in the top 10 an astounding 14 times. Their resume includes nine top 5 finishes and a near-constant presence in the team race hunt. Aside from 2016 (where they placed 12th) and the canceled 2021 season, Northview has never left the upper echelon of California girls’ wrestling.

The Foundation and the 2013 Crown (2011–2015)

The early years of the CIF-sanctioned tournament saw Northview establish itself immediately. In 2011, the team took 3rd place, highlighted by Vanessa Gomez at 103 lbs, who became the first female wrestler in school history to reach the state finals.

By 2012, the Vikings were knocking on the door of a championship, finishing 2nd overall. This squad produced a program record of seven state placers. Gomez returned to take 3rd, becoming the school’s first two-time state placer, while Maddy Tyrone (235 lbs) took 2nd, joining her as a two-time placer.

The ultimate breakthrough came in 2013, when Northview reached the mountaintop to become State Champions.

Sabrina Solis (118 lbs) etched her name in history as Northview’s first CIF individual state champion.

Maddy Tyrone finished 2nd again, cementing her legacy as the program’s first three-time state placer and two-time finalist.

The momentum carried into 2014 and 2015, with the Vikings finishing as the state runner-up in both years. Katie Auxier became the second Viking to place three times at state, capping her run with a 3rd-place finish at 143 lbs in 2014.

The Rebound and the Gomez Era (2016–2020)

In 2016, Northview experienced a rare slip, finishing 12th overall—the only time they missed the top 10. However, the culture was too strong to stay down for long.

The team roared back in 2017 and 2018, driven by the unstoppable Angelina Gomez at 101 lbs. Gomez won the individual state title in 2017, becoming only the second Northview wrestler to do so. In 2018, she defended her crown, becoming the program’s first back-to-back state champion and powering the team to another 2nd-place overall finish.

The decade closed out strongly with a 5th place finish in 2019 and a 9th place finish in 2020, where Tiera Jimerson captured the 131 lbs state title. Jimerson’s victory marked the third individual state championship in Northview history.

A Modern Resurgence (2022–2026)

Following the lost COVID season of 2021, Northview rebuilt and quickly returned to form. The program remained a top 10 fixture, finishing 9th in 2022, 8th in 2023, and 7th in 2024.

The 2024 season brought another individual champion, with Faith Bartoszek dominating the 140 lbs division to take home the gold.

The last two years have proven that the Viking dynasty is far from over:

2025: The team fought their way back to a 2nd-place overall finish, their highest placement in seven years, led by state runner-up Delarie Juarez (145 lbs) and Sumaya Lazaro.

2026: Continuing their elite run, Northview secured 3rd place with five state placers. Eliana Garcia (120 lbs), Sumaya Lazaro (140 lbs), and Jules Sitani (145 lbs) all earned hard-fought bronze medals. Additional help came from Sophia Lazaro (105 lbs) and Mia Hooper (125 lbs) to anchor the team in third place.

The Viking Standard

When examining the history of Southern Section wrestling, Northview’s record speaks for itself. They aren’t just a team that had one good run; they are a machine that consistently develops top-tier talent year after year. From Vanessa Gomez paving the way in 2011 to the deep, five-medalist roster of 2026, the Vikings remain the gold standard for long-term excellence in California girls’ wrestling.

Year-by-Year State Placers

Here is the complete breakdown of the Vikings’ historic run at the State Championships, dating back to the unsanctioned era: