Principal David Longo with the Connections at University High DHH Wrestling team at the Willigan Wrestling Tournament in Indianapolis. 
Emma Echeverria stands at the top of the podium at the Willigan Wrestling Tournament in Indianapolis as she receives her first place medal. 
Victor Romero receives his medal at the Willigan Wrestling Tournament in Indianapolis after finishing third at 144 pounds. 
Ayiana Tierney receives her medal at the Willigan Wrestling Tournament in Indianapolis after finishing second in the girls, division under 120 pounds. 
Louis Saldana shows off his medal after finishing first at 106 pounds at the Willigan Wrestling Tournament in Indianapolis.
Quick look: Seven wrestlers from Connections at University High School’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program earned four podium finishes — including two first-place titles and a Most Outstanding Wrestler honor — at the national Willigan Wrestling Tournament in Indianapolis.
Four out of seven takes on new meaning when it represents the number of podium finishes for a team competing at a national wrestling tournament.
Last month, the wrestling team from Connections at University High School’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program traveled to Indianapolis to compete in the Willigan Wrestling Tournament at the Indiana School for the Deaf. The annual event is the premier national tournament for wrestlers who are deaf or hard of hearing, drawing more than a dozen of the top deaf schools from across the country.
Building on their debut appearance last year, the seven-member team led by Head Coach Joshua Marks delivered a dominant performance. Four wrestlers finished on the podium in their respective weight classes — an impressive feat for one of the tournament’s smallest squads.
Louis Saldana placed first at 106 pounds, and Emma Echeverria captured first place in the girls division over 120 pounds. Ayiana Tierney finished second in the girls division under 120 pounds, while Victor Romero earned third place at 144 pounds. Jayden Kinikini and Erik Lozada each placed fourth in their weight classes, narrowly missing the podium.
Echeverria also was named the inaugural Most Outstanding Wrestler in the girls division — a new honor introduced at this year’s tournament — making her the first recipient in Willigan history.
The competition spanned two days, beginning with a duals tournament and concluding with an individual tournament.
The deaf and hard of hearing wrestling team trains alongside University High School’s wrestling program as an integrated unit. This collaboration mirrors the broader integration of the Connections DHH program, where students attend both mainstream courses at University High and classes specially designed to meet their individual needs.