Karma Oliverez after being honored at Biggs Wrestling Senior Night. Photo provided by Richard Oliverez

BIGGS, CA (MPG) - Biggs High School wrestling team might not be the biggest or experienced, but their wrestlers have been putting in the work this season.

Biggs Wrestling is comprised of both male and female wrestlers, each scoring individual points that reflect and overall team score.

Representing Biggs boys wrestling are first year grapplers are sophomore Zavier Pinedo, who serves as boys team captain, freshman Elijah Callaway, and sophomore Jacob Arevalo.

At the time of this article, Pinedo was 7 and 10, with all 7 wins coming by pin, according to Coach Cody Walsh. Callaway is 1 and 4, and Arevalo 3 and 7.

Walsh says that his boys are doing well and is proud that they are “willing to learn a new sport that is hard in general, but especially (difficult) for first time wrestlers.”

The girls’ team is led by Captain Karma Oliverez, senior, who helped make history at the first Northern Section California Interscholastic Federation Masters Girls Wrestling Championship Tournament in 2023 where she took 3rd place in the state championships.

Oliverez, who is currently at 13 and 1 with all wins by pin, is joined by teammates Jayden Beck, junior, with a record of 17 and 7 – 13 wins by pin, junior Jessie Avram who is 8 and 7 – 6 wins by pin, and sophomore Emma Bowles with a record of 11 and 8 – 8 wins by pin.

Walsh says his lady wrestlers are dedicated with their minds set to continue to improve, both as individuals and as a team.

As for Captain Oliverez, she was honored at Biggs Senior Night. Walsh said he is most proud of Oliverez for “her desire to want to continue to grow as a wrestler and as a teammate during her high school wrestling career.”

Walsh shared that her first season, Oliverez won few matches, but came back strong the next season. At that time, the team had lost their captain to another school. Oliverez stepped up and said that she would prove her abilities to lead in her second season. And she did.

It was during this season that Oliverez would advance to division championships, placing 3rd in league, and finishing 3rd in sections.

Walsh has high hopes for Oliverez qualifying for the 2024 CIF State Championships.

Biggs takes on Live Oak High School Thursday, January 25, 2024.

Biggs High School Wrestling team and staff pictured left to right: Elijah Callaway, Emma Bowles, Xavier Pinedo, Coach Cody Walsh, Volunteer Assistant Coach Richard Oliverez, Jayden Beck and Jessie Avram. Front: Karma Oliverez. Photo provided by Cody Walsh