In the final tune-ups for most wrestling squads before postseason begins, several area teams wrestled in big tournaments across the state before sub-regionals begin next weekend.
The Centralia boys and girls, Rainier boys and girls, W.F. West girls, and Toledo, Adna, and Onalaska boys all competed this weekend.
Making the trip back to Curtis High School in Tacoma, the Centralia girls and boys wrestling teams did well in its final tournament action before the postseason, with the girls finishing fourth at the Berserker Invite and the boys finishing seventh as teams.
The Tiger girls were led by two individual champions in Jade Hudson (110) and Willa Phillips (125), but each wrestler placed, including Luna Martinez-Arevalo, who finished third at 100, and Braylee Blankenship who finished second at 115.
The boys faced some of their stiffest competition of the season, and though they didn’t have a title-winner, four placed.
Antonio Campos (126), Eddie Mojica (220), and Willie Stinkeaway (285) all finished third, and Daniel Cisneros finished fourth in the 195-pound bracket.
Rainier Boys and Girls Runners-Up at Relentless VII in Seattle
For its final tune-up before postseason matches and tournaments begin, the Rainier boys and girls wrestling teams had a strong showing at the Relentless VII tournament at Chief Sealth High School in Seattle Friday night.
Both boys and girls took runner-up honors, paced by eight placers on the boys side and nine for the girls.
For the boys, Levi Swann (138), Zander Peck (160), and Ryder Cruse (285) were all champions, and Jayden Alagarbes (120), Conner Mounts (126), Dorien Cano (170), and Matthew Kenney (220) all finished second, with Hunter Waltman (132) finishing third in his bracket.
The girls had three champs as well in Emma Desotell (105), Maddie Mounts (120), and Katherine Kinahan (190). Other placers included Josie Grager (105, fourth), Layla Hill (115, second), Jeanice Kitchens (115, fourth), Annabelle Whiteman (135, third), Avigayle Scott (140, third), and Kiera Anderson (170, third).
The boys finished as team runner-ups to Mercer Island, while the girls were second as a team behind Clover Park.
“The Mountaineers showed they are ready for postseason with a good, solid effort by both teams,” Rainier coach Chris Holterman said.
The boys will next wrestle in the Sub-Region tournament at Raymond next Saturday, while the girls hold their tournament in Washougal.
Toledo Finishes Fourth, Adna Eighth at Ilwaco Beach Brawl
In a late-season tune-up before the postseason, Toledo led 2B local schools at the Ilwaco Beach Brawl tournament with a fourth-place finish as a team. Castle Rock took home the team championship, with Onalaska finished sixth, Adna eighth, Pe Ell 10th, and Winlock 11th.
Toledo’s individual champions included Bomani Birdwell at 152 and Bayron Rodriguez at 170. All five of the Riverhawks entered placed, with Maddux Ramirez (182) taking second, Chase Meyers (195) taking fourth, and Christopher Eberle (220) taking third.
Onalaska was led by Norman Prazak (106), who finished second in his bracket, and Steven Gomes (152) taking fourth with Justice Miller (170) taking third.
Marshall Brockway of Mossyrock finished with a tournament title in the 220-pound bracket.
Adna was led by four placers, including Cohen Hartley (120), who took second, Jacob Price (160), who took third, Levi Slape (170), who took fourth, and Preston Trodahl (195), who finished third.
Bearcats Finish With Four Champions at Fort Vancouver Invite
In a girls-only tournament in Fort Vancouver, the W.F. West girls wrestling team finished with four champions Saturday afternoon in a final tune-up before postseason begins next weekend.
At 115, Emily Mallonee opened with a pin before a semifinal round loss, but bounced back with two more pins to claim third-place in her bracket.
With three wrestlers at 120, Brooke Johnston went the furthest for the Bearcats, taking fourth. At 130, the Bearcats finished with two placers, including the bracket champ, Kaylee Lehman. Lehman pinned three straight opponents to get to the finals, where a 9-2 decision sealed the title. Aurora Martin finished fourth in that bracket.
At 135 and 140, Lia Hornby and Courtney Jones took home respective championships, earning byes before back-to-back pins for titles.
Kallee Corey became the Bearcats last champion at 155, advancing via a bye and a 10-2 decision before a pin secured the championship in the finals.
To close out the tournament, Bailey Simper took fourth and Lily Canfield finished second in the 190-pound bracket.
The Bearcats took the team championship with 135 points, edging out Aberdeen by three points.
“What a great way to wrap up the regular season,” Bearcats coach Matt Patana said. “We’re right where we need to be heading into subs.”
Next up for the Bearcats is the sub-district tournament in Hoquiam on Saturday.
