Montiel's Fourth Title Leads Toppenish Girls to Fifth Straight Mat Classic Crown
TACOMA, Wash. - Adalyne Montiel stood atop the podium at the Tacoma Dome on Saturday, Feb. 21, accepting her fourth individual championship at Mat Classic XXXVII. But this title felt different. The Toppenish Wildcats senior wasn't just celebrating another gold medal, she was part of something historically dominant: the program's fifth consecutive team championship.
Montiel's victory capped off an extraordinary performance by the Wildcats girls wrestling program, which continues to set the standard for 2A wrestling excellence in Washington State. The four-time champion's dominance on the mat exemplified the depth and skill that has made Toppenish a powerhouse at the WIAA's premier wrestling tournament.
Wildcats Establish Wrestling Dynasty
Five straight team titles is the kind of sustained excellence that defines generational programs. Toppenish's girls wrestling team has built something special under their coaching staff, combining veteran leadership with emerging talent to maintain their position at the top of Class 2A wrestling. Montiel's four individual titles represent the kind of individual excellence that elevates entire programs, giving younger wrestlers a blueprint for success.
The Tacoma Dome, which hosted Mat Classic XXXVII, witnessed the full spectrum of Washington State high school wrestling talent across multiple classifications. From 1A competitors to 4A contenders, the event showcased the depth of wrestling in the state. Toppenish's dominance in the 2A ranks underscores the competitive level across all classifications at the state level.
Other Notable Champions Shine
Wapato's boys wrestling team defended their 1A team title by leaning on exceptional depth throughout their lineup, demonstrating the importance of developing multiple wrestlers across weight classes. Justyce Zuniga of Toppenish claimed his fourth individual title in 2A boys competition, posting a dominant performance in the final minute of his championship match that showcased the veteran poise he's developed throughout his wrestling career.
The girls side saw other standout performances as well. Gabrielle Berger earned a repeat championship for Granger, while Sonia Mendoza captured the title she'd been chasing for four years. Freshman Vanessa Torres also won gold for Granger, setting herself up for what could become a legendary career in prep wrestling.
Zillah boys came up just short in the 1A team standings but placed three individual champions on the podium, demonstrating the competitive level within smaller classifications. Granger's boys claimed the 2B team title with a narrow victory, powered by a pair of individual champions competing at the highest level.
Mat Classic XXXVII once again proved why it remains Washington State's premier wrestling tournament, crowning 113 total medalists across multiple classifications and weight classes. As programs head into the final stretch of the 2025-2026 season, all eyes will be on which wrestlers can peak at the right time for the WIAA State Wrestling Championships.
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👉 Claim Your Free $10 at KalshiThis article was created with AI assistance. Stats and results sourced from public records.