Toppenish Dominates Mat Classic XXXVII as Montiel, Zuniga Lead Yakima Valley Wrestlers

Four-Time Champion Adalyne Montiel Leads Girls to Fifth Straight Team Title

TACOMA, Feb. 21, 2026 - Adalyne Montiel of Toppenish High School made history at Mat Classic XXXVII Saturday night inside the Tacoma Dome, capturing her fourth individual wrestling title as the Toppenish girls claimed their fifth consecutive team championship in dominant fashion at Washington's premier high school wrestling tournament.

Montiel's fourth title marked another impressive chapter in what has become one of the most dominant individual careers in recent WIAA wrestling history. The four-time champion's consistency and dominance on the mat anchored a Toppenish girls program that has become the gold standard in Washington wrestling, controlling the podium and establishing themselves as the clear class of the competition.

"It felt a little different than expected," Montiel said after the emotional victory, reflecting on what many consider her signature achievement in a career defined by excellence at the state's most prestigious wrestling showcase.

Zuniga's Fourth Title Caps Legendary Career for Toppenish Boys

On the boys side, Toppenish's Justyce Zuniga added to his own legacy with a fourth individual title of his own, though the Toppenish boys finished second in the tough 2A classification. Zuniga's final minute of competition displayed the hallmark of his entire wrestling career: a relentless pace that few opponents could match. The four-time champion's dominance throughout his prep career has made him one of the most feared wrestlers in the Yakima Valley.

While Toppenish boys fell just short of the team title, Zuniga's fourth championship underscored the incredible depth of talent coming from the Yakima Valley's premier wrestling program.

Valley Wrestlers Shine Across All Classifications

The Yakima Valley's wrestling excellence extended far beyond Toppenish's dominance. Wapato's boys team defended their 1A team title by leaning on impressive depth, while Zillah proved competitive yet again as the runner-up with three individual winners. Granger made significant noise on both sides of the competition, with the boys narrowly winning the 2B team title thanks to a pair of individual champions, while the girls' squad finished runner-up in the 1A/2B classification.

The Granger girls featured a trio of impressive winners, including Gabrielle Berger's repeat championship and Sonia Mendoza's long-awaited first title after a four-year pursuit. Freshman Vanessa Torres also impressed with a championship that positions her for a potential legendary career mirroring that of Montiel.

The Mat Classic XXXVII showcased why the Yakima Valley remains one of Washington State's premier wrestling regions, producing some of the most dedicated and talented wrestlers in the WIAA. As these champions and their programs head into the final stretch of the season, the Valley's wrestling programs have firmly established themselves as championship contenders heading toward the state tournament.

This article was created with AI assistance. Stats and results sourced from public records.