Hemet’s Samantha Barragan medals at Cadet Freestyle Nationals

Samantha Barragan finished her freshman season at Hemet High School on a high note, placing fifth in the 111-pound class at the CIF State girls wrestling championships.

Barragan continues to prove she is one of the area’s top young female wrestlers. Over the weekend, Barragan advanced to the semifinals of the 117-pound weight class at the U.S. Marine Corps Cadet and Junior Freestyle Nationals held in Fargo, N.D. Barragan finished 3-3 at the tournament and earned the division’s sixth-place medal.

Barragan was leading 10-0 in her opening match before earning a victory by pinfall in the first period. She followed that with a 3-0 decision in the Round of 16. Barragan fell behind 2-0 in her quarterfinal before scoring 13 unanswered points for the win. Barragan was beaten by Adriana Dorado Martin 7-0 in the semifinals. Dorado Martin, who hails from Colorado, went on to capture the 117-pound national championship.

Barragan’s sixth-place finish helped the California squad with the team title.