Two-time state champion wrestler Isabella Gonzalez ready for the next level

Isabella “Bella” Gonzalez is no stranger to success.

The Hanks star wrestler won two individual state titles and helped lead the Knights to their sixth overall state championship this past season under legendary head coach Anthony Carter.

She was also recently named the YISD Female Athlete of the Year by the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame.

And now, she is going to be a pioneer with the brand new Grand View University women’s wrestling team in Iowa.

The program is set to begin its first year of competition under head coach Angelo Crinzi, a former Hanks wrestler himself.

Gonzalez signed her letter of intent Thursday afternoon at Hanks High School to make her commitment official. It was an emotional ceremony for family members watching Gonzalez live out one of her dreams.

While she’s ready to take on the challenge of building a legacy with a new program, she also fondly remembered both the good (and bad) times at Hanks.

“At Hanks, winning it with my team and a then a lot of the moments I had with my teammates and my friends,” she said when asked about her best memories. “There were some times when it was a sadder moment, but it’s when we all came together.”

Crinzi was just hired to lead the Grand View women’s wrestling program about three months ago, and he says that Bella should help make his job easier.

“Bella, she’s just the total package. Good athlete, good in academics. Great personality. Just someone that, you know, we look forward to having on our team.”

As for how she plans to succeed at the next level, Gonzalez says she’ll use the same things that got her where she is today.

“I’m going to bring my own set of skills and a lot of hard work and dedication,” said Gonzalez.