Local wrestling talent showcases skills at the collegiate level

Former McAllen Memorial star wrestler, Serenity de la Garza, is now in her second year at Missouri Valley College, a perennially ranked NAIA wrestling power.

De la Garza finished her high school wrestling career as possibly the greatest girls’ wrestler in Rio Grande Valley history, combining for a 72-0 record during her final two seasons. During her junior season for the Mustangs she went 27-0 with 27 pins — each pin completed within two minutes.

It was sheer dominance.

But college sports, especially for a program that has a winning tradition, isn’t the easiest to just slide into.

“The competition is way higher from high school to college,” de la Garza said. “The level people are at is tough, everybody is as good as me or better. I’ve got to be able to move from that.”

Still, de la Garza showed her mettle as a freshman, finishing eighth in the nation at the national championship, earning her All-American honors.

Eternity de la Garza, Serenity’s twin sister who reached the state podium twice during her high school years, also wrestles at MVC along with former Valley View wrestler Mia Garza.

“It’s a different style of wrestling, adjusting to freestyle,” de la Garza said. “Like suplexes look fun to do but it’s really hard.”

De la Garza wrestled at the 143-pound division a year ago, now she’s back a 138, where she dominated in high school.

“It’s my best spot to be at; I’m a little small for the 143s. But it’s a tough weight class.”

With the conference portion of the schedule coming up, de la Garza said she’s just preparing once again for the NAIA National Championships, March 14-15.

“Mentally, I’m ready and I’m there,” she said. “Just physically my body is kind of hurting. I never had injuries in high school but this year I’ve had some injuries from wrestling. You have the option to wear or not wear headgear and I don’t like wearing headgear. But there is a lot of head-butting going on.”

One of her losses, a tight 4-1 setback, came against a two-time world team wrestler.

“It wasn’t so bad,” she said. “Next time, I’ll just try to do better.”