Pillado Westlake High senior Brittany Pillado had a good weekend.

The 17yearold wrestler finished second in the 118pound division during Saturday's CIF Southern Regional girls' wrestling championships at Oxnard High. Because of her result, Pillado qualified for the state championships next weekend at Hanford.

The Acorn caught up with Pillado, a two-year member of the Warrior wrestling program, on Martin Luther King Jr. Day for 10 questions. Here's what she had to say:

Q) What was it like competing in the regional wrestling championships last weekend?

A) It was pretty tough, a pretty tough tournament. But I worked hard, and everything worked out well.

Q) Your second-place finish at 118, were you happy with that result?

A) I actually was. Last year I went and I didn't place at all. It's only been a little while, and to come back and get second after only wrestling two years is pretty good, I think.

Q) Where does your season go from here?

A) I have girls' state coming up, and I should get seeded there. Maybe I can do well at that event, too. I hear there will be college coaches looking around. If I can get a look from a college, I might just keep on wrestling.

Q) You're one of three females in the Westlake wrestling program—the other two are on the junior varsity team. Does it help to have the other two girls around?

A) I personally like to work with the guys because it makes me a way better wrestler. When I come up and just wrestle girls, it makes things a lot easier for me.

Q) What did your parents say when you told them you wanted to wrestle?

A) I played football before wrestling, so it wasn't a big deal. I played tackle football and a bunch of other sports.

Q) During practice or competitions, do the guys take it easier on the girls, or do they try even more, not wanting to lose?

A) It depends. During practice I make sure the guys treat me just like one of the guys; that way I get the same workout as they do.

Q) What's the worst injury you've ever sustained competing?

A) I've had too many. I hurt my foot about a year ago, and it's still messed up. I strained the MCL in my knee. I separated cartilage in my rib. I also strained a ligament in my elbow.

My elbow injury is the most recent one. I had to tape it up last Saturday because they thought it might have been broken. I'm going to go get it fixed later today.

Q) So you're tough, huh? A) Pretty tough. Q) How do you pump yourself up for a match, especially when you might be in pain?

A) It's my senior year, and I'm never, ever going to get to do this again unless I go to college. That means I've got to give it everything I've got.

Q) Throwing the rules aside, if you had a finishing move, like a professional wrestler, what would it be and why?

A) I like using the headandarm move. You can be standing up and take someone straight into a pin. I like that one the most of anything.

— Stephen Dorman