Senior Kaela Fiesta took 1st place in the 172 pound division of the state judo championships on May 9. Fiesta has participated in judo for the past nine years.

“While I was waiting in the chute, I learned that my fellow senior lightweight Pac-5 teammate won her championship match. I had mixed feelings as I was so happy for her, yet nervous for my match,” said Fiesta.

Fiesta’s training consists of warm-up drills for throwing, matwork, conditioning and live matches.

This match marked Fiesta’s final competition of her high school career.

“I was very excited and overjoyed to win my championship match. I’ve been to states and placed since my freshman year and thought to myself that it would be awesome to end my high school athletic career with the title. It almost felt unreal because it was my last match of the last sport I’d ever play as a high school athlete,” said Fiesta.