Haley Gonzales, Julianna Hernandez first to win state titles

In the sport's first season sanctioned by the state, two girls wrestlers from Long Island stood out from the rest: Hicksville's Haley Gonzales and Rocky Point's Julianna Hernandez. Both won state championships. 

Haley Gonzales, Hicksville, 120, Jr.

It wasn’t looking good for Gonzales.

She trailed Westhampton’s Lily Blenk 9-0 with 1:06 left in the 120-pound state final. If she gave up one more point, she would’ve lost by technical fall.

Instead, she scored a takedown and secured a pin with just 15 seconds left to claim the title.

“It was like something out of a movie,” coach Rich Carroll said. “She took a great shot with exposure and then threw a headlock to get the pin. I’ve been coaching 27 years and I’ve never seen a comeback like that in such a big moment.”

Gonzales won the 118-pound 16U Women’s Freestyle title at the Fargo national championships last summer before compiling an 18-1 record and winning the 120-pound title at the inaugural Nassau championships. She was Newsday's wrestler of the year for the girls.

Julianna Hernandez, Rocky Point, 126, Fr.

Hernandez has always been a special talent.

As she gains more experience, she only becomes more dangerous.

The Newfield freshman suffered an ankle sprain in December and returned about a month later as if nothing happened. She rolled through the inaugural Suffolk County girls wrestling championship and she didn’t surrender a point in the state tournament until the 126-pound final, which she won by 18-6 technical fall over Minsink Valley’s Sara Pauls.

Hernandez won the 107-pound title at last year’s state invitational. She went 16-1 this season.

“When she first came into our room, you could see right away that she had a feel for her body in certain positions that you can’t teach people,” coach Darren Goldstein said. “When you have that type of natural ability and then you take the time to sharpen your skills and go to clubs, it’s not a surprise to watch her grow.” She was Newsday's Suffolk wrestler of the year for the girls.