This was the moment. 

On Jan. 31 in a highly lit gym at Chula Vista High School, numbers of competitors, parents and coaches watched intensely as two girls wrestled for an important title in the center of a ring. Representing BVH was Ella Edvalson, a senior and four-year Varsity wrestler, who faced rival and junior Aynnara Quintero from Olympian high school. This was not just any match however; this was the league finale, and only one could take the title home.

“Quintero was the champion in [another weight class] last year,” Edvalson said. “I had to lock in.”

This being a competitive match, there was no doubt it was going to be a contest of resistance between the two top wrestlers in their weight class. As the match grew more vigorous, so did Edvalson, gaining a hold on her opponent. In the end, Edvalson took down her combatant in victory. 

“I felt confident. I knew I was going to wrestle a returning girl, so I had to be my best,” Edvalson said. 

Taking home the banner would add to the list of Edvalson’s achievements. Previously, she won Metro-Mesa leagues her junior year and was the runner-up her sophomore year. Despite this, Edvalson admits that there have been obstacles in her wrestling career, describing how overcoming them became part of who she is. 

“[Wrestling] is something you need to get used to. It is about getting used to being physical with other people, utilizing the strength that you have and getting over the hump in the beginning,” Edvalson said. “I got through that by just persevering and learning from my mistakes. You have to lose a whole lot in order to win just a little bit.”

This philosophy that Edvalson holds does not just lie in herself, but how she mentors and encourages her other teammates. A longtime friend, two-year varsity player, top three girls’ wrestler in the 172-weight class and senior, Ivanna Ruiz, commented on how Edvalson has taken a strong role in competing in wrestling.

“I have known [Ella] since eighth grade, and she has been one of my closest friends. We drifted off freshman year when I went to a different school and then I was in awe when I found out she wrestled,” Ruiz said. “[After moving back to BVH], I have seen her throughout the years and [she] has impacted me as a person, inspiring [me] to do better and continue with wrestling.”

Ruiz is not the only one that holds this sentiment. Underclassmen such as two-year varsity competitor, top four girls’ wrestler in the 107-weight class and sophomore Jaslene Pena asserted how welcoming and supportive Edvalson was when Pena first joined the team.

“I have known Ella since the beginning of the season last year. She has impacted me so much by constantly coaching, mentoring [and] giving me that comfort space when I was heading into the sport,” Pena said. “She inspires me in every single aspect–school, sports [and] life in general. But what it is about her is the constant motivation that she gives me with the little speeches before a match. She tells me I am good and I believe her.”

Both Pena and Ruiz agree that Edvalson has made a significant impact in their wrestling careers. As a strong and unique competitor on the team, they both see eye to eye that Edvalson is one of the most influential role models in their lives. Ruiz continues as to how Edvalson kept pushing her despite the obstacles.

“She is a great captain, leader and training partner every time. Whenever I am gassed out during a match, she is always saying ‘do one more, do one more.’ She is strong, kind and tough on me, telling me what I need to do correctly,” Ruiz said.

As her high school career comes to an end, Edvalson shares that after she graduates, she plans to wrestle for two years at Southwestern college and then find another postsecondary education institution after. When she graduates, she hopes that she will be able to inspire others more and continue to spread the love of the game.

“Wrestling is a great community and has grown tremendously from my freshman year,” Edvalson said. “It is a beautiful community, and I have made so many friends. I have seen the sport grow, and I have seen that so many people have loved the sport. Wrestling is empowering to not only the girls, but to the wrestling community as a whole.”