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SANDY SUMMERS RUSSELL/Stat Hound contributor
A mixed bag for Toppenish wrestlers at state tourney
Zuniga, Montiel complete four-peats, but losses dampen the successes
By JERREL SWENNING/Stat Hound
Feb 22, 2026
TACOMA – It’s all relative for the Toppenish wrestling program.
Whether that be in the literal sense – star senior Justyce Zuniga joining brother Kiyanno as the boys’ only four-time state champions – or the comparative – the program’s demand for unparalleled excellence.
Both were on display Saturday night for the Wildcats in Mat Classic XXXVII in the Tacoma Dome.
Zuniga capped a crazy year in which he started in California before transferring back to the Yakima Valley school, waited for his eligibility to be confirmed, and then waited for the WIAA to grant his eligibility.
In a rematch of last year’s 132-pound final, Zuniga scored early and then held off Orting’s Dominic Thomas to win at 138 for the four-peat.
“It means a lot to even get the chance to wrestle, because I didn’t even know I would get a chance,” he said.
And amongst the Zuniga siblings, it draws him even with Kiyanno, who completed the coveted four-title feat last year, and ahead of Jermiah, whose three titles likely would’ve been four had COVID not derailed the 2021 season.
“Now we both get to make fun of my older brother because he's a three-time,” Justyce said.
Toppenish had an unprecedented quartet of wrestlers going for their fourth title, but the foursome four-timers wasn’t to be.
Sophia Torrez was stunned at 105 by Washington’s Kyler Menza, who had her Toppenish opponent fighting not to be pinned, and led 7-0 after the first period.
Torrez battled back, but fell 9-8, a decision that was upheld after a discussion about scoring.
Adalyne Montiel cruised to her fourth title, earning an 18-2 technical fall in the first period.
A couple matches later, however, Steve Romero at 126 saw a clock error take away a potential takedown, and fell in overtime 6-5.
The 2-of-4 dulled the girls champions fifth straight championship, a bit. And the boys were a distant second to Orting, which also made it five straight.
“We know what level of wrestling we need to be at, and we know we have to give it 100%,” Toppenish coach Pepe Segovia said. “We have a little saying – we’re the standard – and the standard is being on top.”
Evette Esquivel (170) and Charlene Underwood (235) also earned championships for the Wildcats, who outdistanced CWAC rival Othello by more than 100 points for the team title.
Ephrata’s Adylene Sanchez repeated at 155, and Grandview’s Heidy Larios Verduzco won at 115.
Selah’s D’Anthony Garcia Reyes started the night with a victory at 106.