SAC’S women’s wrestling state champion Jade Morales signs to Southern Oregon University

The Dons first state champion in women’s wrestling had her signing day on October 30 with the presence of her whole family and her teammates. Jade will continue her wrestling career at Southern Oregon College next semester.

Jade Morales signed with the public university on Oct. 30 at a signing day surrounded by families and teammates. Having an unbeaten season Morales attracted many colleges.

“I know that I’m going to Oregon for a reason. I’m going to pursue my education and my athletics. I feel really encouraged that my family is pushing me to go out of state and to discover myself,” said Morales.

The Morales’ family had their eyes set on Southern Oregon College because SAC women’s wrestling head coach Donald Apodaca’s daughter is a teacher at Southern Oregon and Apodaca goes there often.

The girl’s wrestling team had no head coach at the time, but they had attractions from colleges in Montana, Kansas, Irvine, and Costa Mesa.

After waiting for a call and a final decision on which school to continue her education in history and athletics in wrestling, they got a call back from SOU to let them know they got a head coach.

“Coach Joy from SOU calls me and says ‘We love to have her. I’ve seen all of her videos’ we had a visit,” said her father Sadie Morales.

Jade spent some days with the team and lived in the dorms where she felt like it was family and she was meant to be there.

As Jade is ready for this next step in her life, being the first state champion at SAC in women’s wrestling, she has attracted many other talented athletes to join Las Doñas next season.

At her signing day, Santa Ana council member Phil Bacera recognized Morales with a plaque for her accomplishments and for being SAC’S first state champion in women’s wrestling.

“To be recognized by the city that I love and that I want to represent is super great, it was a stepping stone for me,” said Jade Morales.