Nevada high school wrestling: Centennial girls win Southern Nevada title

Saturday’s Southern Nevada girls wrestling regional meet provided Centennial an opportunity to defend its team championship and get one step closer to winning a second straight state title.

It also was a chance at redemption for Centennial senior Tylene Tran.

After losing to Virgin Valley’s Raylynn Woods in last year’s Southern Region and state 110-pound finals, Tran got her revenge and helped the Bulldogs win another team title.

Tran defeated Woods on Saturday in the Southern Nevada regional qualifier at Clark High to claim the individual title at 110 pounds.

“It was a super intense match. We were super close,” Tran said. “But I was able to stay calm and stay composed, and I think that’s what ultimately got me to that title for regionals.”

That helped Centennial earn 203.5 points to win its second straight team region crown. SLAM! Nevada was second with 177.5 points and Coronado was third (167 points).

“It’s great,” Centennial coach Kevin Caruso said. “It’s really hard to do it once, but to do it twice is awesome. It’s amazing.”

The top six finishers in each weight class will qualify for the state tournament, which is scheduled for Feb. 13 and 14 at the Winnemucca Events Center alongside the 5A, 3A and 2A boys state tournaments.

It will be the fourth year of the girls wrestling state invitational, which includes all classifications. The sport will become a full-sanctioned NIAA sport next school year.

Tran was one of four Centennial wrestlers to win individual titles, joining Kaydyn Brooks (100 pounds), Madison Worden (140) and Liliana Barrientos (170). Worden won the state title last year at 135 pounds.

“Last year, I couldn’t get it done, so it’s really nice to get it done this year,” Tran said. “… I’ve lost in the state final the last three years. It’s just been a crazy toll on my confidence and everything. I just realized I have to focus on my mindset and believe in myself.”

Tran, Brooks and Barrientos are all now two-time region champions who are seeking their first state titles. Centennial will look to win a second straight state crown after graduating two state champions from last year’s team.

“We have a great group of girls that has continued that same work ethic that we started to have at the end of last year,” Caruso said. “They’ve continued that into this year and they’ve taught it to all these new girls. It’s great to see them all come together.”

SLAM! Nevada also had four wrestlers win individual titles — Kaliya Klise (105), Noelani Lutz (120), Mika Yoffee (135) and Nichole Simmons (145).

Lutz and Yoffee are each now three-time individual region champions and will seek their third state titles in Winnemucca.

On Saturday, Tran and Woods proved to be the match of the day. The battle went to the end of the third round, when Tran held on in the final seconds.

“They’re both phenomenal competitors,” Caruso said. “Every time those two get together, the match is close late. They are both awesome competitors and it’s fun to watch those two.”

Centennial edged SLAM! Nevada by 33.5 points for the state title last year. Northern powers Reed, Spanish Springs and McQueen will also try to contend for the championship.

“I’m just so proud of them,” Caruso said. “Their accomplishment, all the hard work that they’ve put in this year. Just a fantastic start to the postseason.”

Green Valley’s Kaija Ashcroft won her second straight region title at 190 pounds and is seeking her first state title.

Contact Alex Wright at awright@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AlexWright1028 on X.