Lauren Zaragoza: The latest in a long line of great Brawley state champions

Brawley's Lauren Zaragoza wins the California girl's 135 pound state wrestling championship.

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - Brawley Union High School has a rich history out on the wrestling mats and Lauren Zargoza is latest in that long line to etch her name in history. 

Zaragoza won the California state girls wrestling championship in 135 pound division, becoming lone state champion hailing from the Imperial Valley in 2025.

"It's been a goal for me since I was a little girl," Zaragoza said. "I've been wrestling for seven or eight years. I never would have thought to win a title, so it means a lot to me and my family."

The junior started wrestling when she was a little girl after drawing some inspiration when she watched her older brother compete.

"I remember seeing like these girls come out and they would wrestle," Zaragoza said. "I'm like, 'They have a girls division.' That was really inspiring for me to see and I wanted to be like them."

Claiming the state title is a result of Zaragoza's drive and countless hours training. Outside of normal practice, Zaragoza works out before school and even during school at lunchtime.

"She looked like she had that vision this year," Brawley girl's wrestling coach Raymond Leon said. "She was focused. She had a dream and then her dream came true."

"The extra work is the bare minimum," Zaragoza said. "You have to go above and beyond if you want to be better."

Zaragoza has been training against the boys for years and she credits that challenge as a major reason why she's risen above her competition.

"I think it's a really good thing because they are stronger and quicker," she said. "It makes a big difference. The boys in that room, they don't care that I'm a girl they will give it to me. They'll take it to me, so I just put put up a fight and I mean it really helps me in the end."

Zaragoza is only a junior, so she is looking to repeat as a state champion next year.