Oakland Tech's Shayna Ward repeats as runner-up at state wrestling
Junior makes more Oakland Tech history at state tournament
Shayna Ward waited all year for this moment.
The junior wrestler from Oakland Technical High School, fueled by her runner-up finish at last season’s CIF State Wrestling Championships, lost again in the title match Saturday night in Bakersfield. Zahra Stewart of Orange Vista High-Perris pinned Ward in the third round to claim the 125-pound championship.
“I have to work on getting my offense going a little quicker,” said Ward, who trailed 4-0 after two periods before a packed Mechanics Bank Arena. “I think I waited too long in that match and then I blinked and it was the third period.”
Oakland Unified School District has one state wrestling champion since the boys tournament began in 1973, according to CIF records: Derrick Adams of Castlemont High won the 130-pound title in 1983. Before Ward, only Castlemont High had top-eight placers in the girls state tournament that began in 2011: Laylani Allen placed eighth in 122 pounds in 2013; Joanna Mack placed second in 235 pounds in 2014 and third in 170 pounds in 2016; and Laylani Allen placed fifth in 111 pounds in 2016.
“It means a lot that everyone knows that Oakland is here and we have some type of respect,” said longtime Oakland Tech coach Ashlee Sherman, a California Wrestling Hall of Famer who wore his trademark beanie and Oakland Tech jacket.
Ward, the No. 2 seed after capturing the North Coast Section championship, reached the title match by beating wrestling pal Me’Kala James of Central High-Bakersfield.
“That was exhausting,” Ward said after the grueling 11-7 victory, during which James battled an elbow injury. “When you wrestle her it’s never gonna be easy.”
Gerry Abas is the only other Oakland Tech wrestler to reach a state title match, losing in 126 pounds in 1989. Abas wrestled under Sherman and coaches Ward in freestyle.
“I’m definitely gutted for her,” said Shayna’s father, Darrel, who sat with Sherman in his daughter’s corner during the three-day tournament. “I’m gutted that she mentally has to deal with this again, but it must be for a reason.”
Now that the high school season is over, Ward is looking forward to putting on some pounds — something wrestlers aren’t able to do in season.
“I’m going straight to In-N-Out,” she said with a laugh. “I’m getting two Double Doubles and a Neopolitan shake.”
Correction: Laylani Allen of Castlemont High placed eighth in the 122 pounds division at the 2013 state championships; Joanna Mack of Castlemont High placed second in 235 pounds in 2014; Joanna Mack placed third in 170 pounds in 2016; Laylani Allen of Castlemont placed fifth in 111 pounds in 2016. Incorrect information previously appeared in this story.