Pueblo High School freshman Elizabeth Valenzuela Smithwon all three of her matches by fall to claim the 106-pound 16U title of the 2024 Air Force Special Warfare 16U & Junior Boys and Girls Folkstyle Nationals at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Sunday.
Valenzuela Smith, representing the Arizona Girls Wrestling Club, defeated Kynlie Keffof Daleville (Ill.) by fall in 1:44 in the championship match.
She holds the distinction of being the first third-generation wrestling champion in Arizona. She won the 107-pound state title last month. Her grandfather Orlando Smith(1974-75) and father Josiah Smith(1998) were also state champions from Pueblo.
Sunnyside’s Iliana Castanedafinished second in the 115-pound Junior Girls competition.
Castaneda, also representing Arizona Girls Wrestling, won her first three matches before losing by a 4-2 decision in the championship match against Julia Kayof Cedar City (Utah).
Sahuarita boys wrestling, which won a state title last month, was well represented at Cedar Rapids.
Gabriel Gallardoof the Mustang Wrestling Club placed second in the Junior Boys 150-pound competition. Gallardo won his first five matches before losing by fall in 2:00 in the title match against Chase Van Hovenof Stafford, Va.
Danny Guerrero, who wrestles at Sahuarita and is part of the Cyclones Wrestling Club, finished fourth in the Junior Boys 120-pound bracket.
Marana junior wrestler Owen Propertook seventh place in the 16U 132-pound bracket, earning him All-American status.
He was unseeded in a 64-man bracket and found a spot on the podium in his first national tournament.