Sergio Vega’s NCAA Division I championship at 141 pounds for Oklahoma State on Saturday adds another significant achievement for the Sunnyside High School wrestling dynasty.
The Blue Devils earned their state-record 39th state championship, ninth consecutively, last month.
Since that triumph, the program has celebrated the NCAA Division I titles by two of its legendary wrestlers — Audrey Jimenez and Vega, both of them four-time state champs with the Blue Devils.
Both went unbeaten this season — Jimenez 23-0 at Lehigh, capped by a 110-pound title in the inaugural NCAA Women’s Wrestling Champoinships, and Vega 24-0 with Oklahoma State, the first true freshman since 1947 to go unbeaten with a national title.
“That was freaking awesome,” Vega said in a press conference following his sudden-victory 4-1 decision in overtime at Cleveland over two-time defending champ Jesse Mendez of Ohio State in the title match.
“I felt like I could do it and I did it. And I did it against one of the best at 141. I have so much respect for (Mendez) and (Nebraska’s) Brock Hardy (who Vega beat in the semifinal round). They’re animals, man. Last year, I was at home on my couch, eating food, being a little fatty, watching them scrap it out on that mat.”
Sunnyside High School NCAA Division I Champions
- Sergio Vega: Won the 2026 NCAA Division I national championship at 141 pounds for Oklahoma State. He made history as the first true freshman since 1947 to complete an undefeated season (24-0) with a national title.
- Audrey Jimenez: Captured her first collegiate national title in 2026 at the inaugural NCAA Women’s Wrestling Championships, competing for Lehigh at 110 pounds. She finished her championship season with a perfect 23-0 record.
- Roman Bravo-Young: A two-time NCAA Division I national champion for Penn State, winning back-to-back titles at 133 pounds in 2021 and 2022. He finished his collegiate career as a four-time All-American with a 101-10 record.
- Nate Gallick: Won the 2006 NCAA Division I national championship at 141 pounds for Iowa State. He went 35-0 during his championship season and was a three-time All-American.
- Eric Larkin: Captured the 2003 NCAA Division I national championship at 149 pounds for Arizona State. In the same year, he won the Dan Hodge Trophy, recognized as the highest individual honor in college wrestling.
- Eddie Urbano: Won the 1985 NCAA Division I national championship at 150 pounds for Arizona State. Prior to his NCAA title, he was a two-time national champion at the junior college level while competing for Pima Community College.
From couch to championship, Vega added to Blue Devil wrestling lore by becoming the sixth Sunnyside wrestler to earn an NCAA Division I championship. The others are Jimenez, Roman Bravo-Young (131 pounds at Penn State in 2021 and 2022), Nate Gallick (141 pounds at Iowa State in 2006), Eric Larkin (149 pounds at Arizona State in 2003) and Eddie Urbano (150 pounds at Arizona State in 1985).
Making Vega’s championship even more impressive is he never was taken down in his 24 matches.
He was unranked at the beginning of the season and climbed his way to No. 2 before the NCAA tournament started. Mendez was the No. 1 seed.
“People have been doubting me all year, and I love proving people wrong, so I’m gonna keep trying to do that,” said Vega. “It took them a while to call the takedown (in overtime). It just hit me right away. I was around him. It was awesome. I’ve never had a moment like that in my life.
“But like (Oklahoma State) Coach (David) Taylor always says, ‘It’s awesome to have this moment, but now, it’s time to go get four of ‘em.'”
After a scoreless first period, Vega fought his way to an escape 42 seconds into the second and remained ahead 1-0 going into the third period.
Mendez escaped shortly into the third, and nearly had a reversal, but Vega fought it off.
When he got the winning takedown, Vega ran to celebrate with his family, including father Danny Sr. and brother Danny Jr., at the edge of the mat. Danny Sr. was a three-time state champion at Sunnyside. Danny Jr. achieved the same feat at Ironwood Ridge. The Vega family owns and operates Cyclones Wrestling and Fitness.
“My dad never gave up on me,” Sergio said. “So many tournaments when I was younger, Wouldn’t score a point and I was just some fat little chubby kid. I don’t know how he did it, because he never gave up on me.
“It was in those moments when I’m tired, I can’t feel my arms, I can’t feel my legs, I’m remembering all the things he did for me and my brother. I can never pay them back for what they’ve done for me.”
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