Downey High's Christina Osorio wins state wrestling championship

Christina Osorio won Downey High’s first CIF girls state wrestling championship on Feb. 24 in Bakersfield.

DOWNEY – Downey High School senior Christina Osorio beat the nation’s number five seed to finish first at the 2024 CIF State championship in Bakersfield on Saturday, Feb. 24.

“It feels really good being the first Downey High Girls State Champion. It feels like I made my mark in girls wrestling,” shared Osorio shortly after her historic win.

Osorio competed for three days in Bakersfield, wrestling a total of five matches against familiar top-tier wrestling opponents. “I went into the tournament the number four seed and beat the top seed in the semi-finals. In the finals, I won against the girl who beat me at Masters. It felt really good to win,” shared Osorio about her matchups.

Having coached Osorio since her sophomore year, Downey High wrestling coach Rodger Rios spoke highly of Osorio’s wrestling skills by describing her as highly athletically gifted with the knowledge to use a wide variety of wrestling techniques in her matches.

“What’s most impressive about Christina’s win is the sheer amount of talent that she has been up against in the CIF-Southern Section, which is well-known for its talent across the nation” Rios added while noting that the California CIF State Championship in girls wrestling is considered one of the top three in the nation.

Osorio boasts an incredible high school record, including taking first place at Masters and placing fifth in the State tournament during her junior year, multiple league championships, and placing second at CIF for three consecutive years. She also helped the Viking girls wrestling team take second place at the CIF State Tournament in 2023.

When asked who she would like to thank for her success, Osorio acknowledged her family, friends, and coaches were among the people who had believed in her the most. Osorio began wrestling at the age of five and was mentored by her father and brother, the latter of whom, Felix Osorio, wrestled for Cerritos College and became a State Champion his sophomore year.

As a senior, Osorio has plans to attend a four-year college on a wrestling scholarship. While she has received several offers, her recent success means she is likely to receive more as she approaches graduation.

When asked about Osorio’s future potential, Coach Rios expressed his enthusiasm for her prospects.

“It’s clear Christina loves the sport and I fully expect her to be nationally ranked at the college level soon. I could see her making the Olympic team. She’s that good.”