Prep wrestling: Leon roars

Referee Carla Leon (left background), a former

Caver wrestler herself, officiates La Jolla's Matisse

Pickett's first match Sat. morning, Jan. 21

at San Marcos High. Pickett is in the red singlet.

(Photos by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

"Leon" means "lion" in Spanish. Well, Carla Leon, a 113-pound former Eastern League champion wrestler at San Diego High, does roar as she leads the way for women officiating in local prep wrestling dual meets and tournaments.

Leon, seen at some of La Jolla High's recent dual meets at her alma mater and at Hoover, maintains a serious demeanor as she goes about the business of checking athletes before meets for skin lesions, fingernail length, and braces--besides refereeing during bouts.

She graduated Cavers Class of 2021 (what is a female Caveman?), she responded when asked at the Queen of the Realm tournament at San Marcos High Sat., Jan 21. Her boy friend has a tough gig, restricted to the sidelines taking photos while Leon takes centerstage in getting matches going, then raising the right arm of victors after each bout.

Leon checks Viking wrestlers for fingernail length,

skin lesions, and braces before La Jolla's dual meet

Jan. 11 at her alma mater, San Diego High.

The Vikings won, 57-24.

The only regular local wrestling official

who is female directs Viking Axel

in setting up for the next period

in La Jolla's win at Hoover Jan. 4.