Coming off a 39-30 dual meet victory against Milpitas High School on Jan. 27, the MVHS Wrestling team defeated Gunn High School 42-32 on its senior night and last dual meet of the season on Thursday, Feb. 3, ending the season with a 4-2 league record. Despite only leading 24-23 near the middle of the meet, the Matadors managed to widen their lead and defeat GHS by 10 points.

Coach Andrew Pappas and senior and captain Hannah Baker both agree that the highlight of the meet was senior Alysa Phattanaphibul’s win by pin in her match. Although Phattanaphibul was trailing in points at first, Baker says that she was able to “come back at the last second” and pin her opponent, instantly ending the match and adding six points to the team’s total score.

Although the team won, Pappas says that there is still room for improvement. He states that because MVHS had an advantage over their opponents due to GHS having fewer people on their team, the Matadors “took [GHS] lightly”.

“We want to be wrestling as close to perfect as we can,” Pappas said. “Even though we won, it’s perfectionism: trying to get better and wanting to do the best we can, and sometimes we were just mentally in and out of it [in this meet].”

Baker agrees with Pappas that a takeaway from this game, especially as the team prepares for leagues and CCS, is “to be in the right mindset.” As a senior, Baker says that she views the victory as a great way to have ended league play for her last season on the team.

“I love this team. I love coming here every day after school,” Baker said. “I’m really proud that we won on senior night especially. It’s a very prideful feeling for us and I definitely loved the fight that I saw, pushing through every match. I’m very proud of the team. And I’m honored to be part of it.”

Gallery • 8 Photos

Anna Jerolimov

Senior and captain Hannah Baker juggles a poster and a flower bouquet from junior Abhay Chidurala. On senior night, it is customary to gift flowers and hand drawn posters to graduating seniors.