Two Mountain View High School wrestlers competed at last month’s Junior National Championships in Fargo, North Dakota, with one of them placing in the top six.
Junior Kiana Lien finished sixth in the 100-pound weight class of the 16-and-under girls division. Justice Commendatore, a sophomore, went 2-2 as a 138-pounder in the 16-and-under-boys division.
Lien, who has been wrestling for five years and served as a captain of the Mountain View team last season, placed just outside the top 10 at last year’s meet.
“Both (Justice) and I had to train really hard for Fargo,” Lien said. “We’re just trying to help everyone have that discipline and work hard in the Mountain View room.”
Despite 30 matches going on at the same time in the Fargo Dome, Lien said she remained focused on the task at hand.
“It’s easy to get your emotions up,” Lien said. “I tried not to make it such a big deal.”
Lien instead zoned in on executing and playing to her strengths.
“You don’t have to hit super impressive moves in a match to win,” said Lien, who hopes to wrestle at the college level.
Lien qualified for Fargo by winning the California state freestyle tournament earlier this year. Her sixth-place finish automatically qualifies her for next summer’s tournament.
Lien’s mother, Wendy, said their family was prepared to navigate the long tournament days after last summer’s competition.
“(At) all those smaller tournaments at the state or regional level, we’ve learned the routine, and not only having her performance be the best but also how to prepare for (matches) logistically,” Wendy said.
This marked Commendatore’s first trip to Fargo as a wrestler.
“It made me want to compete more than ever,” Commendatore said of qualifying.
Prior to Fargo, Commendatore won the U16 State Title at the Fresno USA folkstyle last spring with his club.
Commendatore said his routine before a big wrestling match includes visualization. Competing at Fargo encouraged him to be more present during his competitions.
“I want to let myself flow,” Commendatore said. “I’m at my best when I just let myself put stuff together rather than thinking of every little step.”
Newly appointed Mountain View High wrestling coach Nhiem Nguyen is proud of the way Commendatore and Lien prepared for Fargo.
“Most kids at the end of the season, after states, they’re done,” Nguyen said. “Kiana and Justice aren’t there just to be on the mat; every hour with their coaches is precious.”
