Esperanza freshman Sammy Sanchez was champion of his weight class in the U17 division at the US Open Wrestling Championships in Las Vegas this past weekend. The victory at 112 pounds earned Sanchez a spot on Team USA for the 2025 U17 World Championships in Greece that begin July 28. He was a national champion last year, too, and was a winner in the world championships last summer in the competition in Jordan. U17 means “under-17” in the age-group competition. Sanchez, the Orange County boys wrestler of the year for the 2024-25 season and a CIF State champion, beat Iowa state champion Hayden Schwab in two matches of the best-of-3 finals in Las Vegas. Sanchez won by 9-0 and 6-0 decisions. Marina freshman Aubree Gutierrez, the O.C. girls wrestler of the year, finished second in the US Open and Girls High School Recruiting Showcase in Las Vegas. Gutierrez lost to rival Sophia Marie Gonzales of Clovis East High by 6-5 decision in the 110-pound division. Gutierrez and Gonzales have a great rivalry going. Gutierrez beat Gonzales in the CIF State Championships semifinals and at the Women’s Nationals two weeks ago.