(EL PASO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT – Jan. 31, 2024) — Franklin High School sophomore Jubilee Rendon continues to dominate her division in wrestling.
The student-athlete competed in the District 1-6A Tournament at Eastwood High School on Thursday, Feb. 1. Rendon came out strong during her first match by pinning her opponent within 30 seconds and by winning the semifinals match in less than a minute. At the end of the day, she took home first place.
Rendon, along with a host of other wrestlers will continue their hunt for state titles by virtue of their finishes at the district tournament. The top four finishers in each weight class qualify for the 6A Region I Championships, which will be Feb. 9-10 in Haltom City, Texas. The UIL State Wrestling Championships will be Feb. 16-17 at the Berry Center in Cypress, Texas.
Rendon is no stranger to success. She won the UIL State Championship last year in the girl’s 100-pound weight division and she hopes to repeat last year’s magic.
“It was very rewarding to win last year,” Rendon said. “Franklin has a great wrestling team and I think more people need to recognize all of our great wrestlers.”
Rendon has the help of her coach who is a former wrestler herself. Paige Edwinson is one of the few women who coaches wrestling in the district. She wrestled for the Franklin High School team years ago and even competed in some matches in college. Edwinson said that Rendon has a winner’s mentality.
“She’s an athlete that every coach wishes they had. Yeah, she won state, but I think I do all the bragging for her. I don’t think she tells anyone,” Edwinson said. “She’s never too good to learn something and she’s never too good to make corrections. I think that’s something that is hard to find in athletes.”
Rendon is also quick to thank her friends and teammates for her success. Rendon said members of her team help her to prepare for some of her tough matches.
“My teammates help me a lot during practice like making sure I don’t slack off during my training,” Rendon said. “My practice partners will even adjust their wrestling style to help me train even more.”
After high school, Rendon said she wants to head to a college in Iowa to continue her education and wrestling.