The road to the 116-pound title at the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships may not have been what former Skyview wrestler and Brighton High School student Jaslynn Gallegos envisioned.

However, she has the first-place trophy to account for it.

She was trailing Samara Chavez 8-1 in the third period of the title match when Gallegos pulled out a pinfall win.

“I was aware of the deficit, and I did want to challenge the last call when I was aware of it at the break but figured it was too late to do so,” she said. “I would just get back in the next period.”

Gallegos described the winning combination of moves as “a quick defense and a big throw.” She finished her season with 21 pins and six technical falls to account for her 27 wins.

“My biggest thought was just the ‘I did it’ thought,” she said, “and the feeling of accomplishment, feeling like my hard work paid off.”

With all the success came a bit of a surprise. She injured her calf two days before the national tournament qualifier.

“My calf suddenly gave out, and I couldn’t walk,” she said. “The day of the tournament, I had to do my best to try not to limp. But my ankle was taped in a way that I couldn’t flex my calf while walking or wrestling. My coaches had me injury forfeit my finals match since I had already qualified by winning in the semifinals.”

Gallegos wants to pay more attention to individual growth vs. her potential opposition.

“When I am at my best, I don’t think the toughness of the competition matters,” she said. “World team trials is next for me. I’m hoping to make the world team.”