Saturday, December 13, 2025
37.0°F

Mendez, Barraza, Monday headed to Mat Classic for Othello

CASEY MCCARTHY | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years, 9 months AGO
by CASEY MCCARTHY
Staff Writer | February 19, 2020 1:00 AM

OTHELLO — A trio of Huskies will represent Othello High School in Tacoma this weekend at the Mat Classic after securing the berths on their home mat over the weekend.

Senior Emily Mendez, junior Iyazely Barraza and sophomore Alexis Monday will make the trip to the west side to compete to bring a state title back to Othello.

Coming off a second-place finish last year in Tacoma, Mendez will look to cap off her Othello career with a title in the 110-pound weight class. Mendez picked up the win in the final seconds over Sunnyside’s Alexxus Ramos in the first-place match last weekend at regionals.

A rematch with top-ranked Salyna Shotwell of Rogers for Mendez would have to wait until the finals. Second-ranked Mendez, according to the Washington Wrestling Report, will have Diana Cantini of Kamiak and Mead’s Kelsey Loeun, both top-six wrestlers, standing in front of a title shot. Shotwell, Alexxus Ramos and fellow Huskie Alexis Monday wait on the bottom side of the bracket.

First up for the senior will be a matchup against a freshman, Genesis Vasquez from Blaine High School.

“We expect a tough matchup if she makes it to finals,” Othello head coach Rafael Ruiz said.

Iyazely Barraza will make her second-straight trip to Tacoma as a junior after taking first place over the weekend at 115. Fifth-ranked Barraza took down Moses Lake freshman Bianca Johnson in the finals on Saturday, with Johnson coming in as number four in the weight class.

First up on Friday for Barraza will be a bout against W.F. West sophomore Elizabeth Patana. Third-ranked Natasha Puzon of Enumclaw stands ahead of Barraza’s path to the semifinals and a possible title bout.

Sophomore Alexis Monday will join Mendez in the bracket at 110 in Tacoma after a third-place finish on Saturday. Monday took the 3-0 decision over Mead’s Kelsey Loeun in the third place match.

Monday, ranked fifth in the weight class, will have to go through the reigning champion for a chance at a title. Luckily, Monday will have until the semifinal round to prepare.

“Our hope is she places top four, but it’s gonna be a really tough match,” Ruiz said. “If we can get her to place, that will be pretty amazing, especially as a sophomore.”

First bout on Friday for the sophomore will be against Claudia Rojas-Guzmen, a senior coming in ranked 12th in the state. This will be Monday’s first trip to the Mat Classic.

photo

Casey McCarthy/Columbia Basin Herald Othello’s Iyazely Barraza took the top spot in her division at regionals as the fifth-ranked wrestler looks to make her mark in the Tacoma Dome this weekend.

photo

Othello’s Alexis Monday will join senior Emily Mendez in the 110-pound bracket in Tacoma as both Huskies look to make a run this weekend.

ARTICLES BY CASEY MCCARTHY

Keep it flowing: Protecting your plumbing when the weather gets cold
October 16, 2021 1 a.m.

Keep it flowing: Protecting your plumbing when the weather gets cold

As the freezing temperatures roll in, it’s a good time to make sure the pipes and faucets of a home are properly protected from winter frost.

Pumping out pumpkins: Growing your own gourds for Halloween
October 9, 2021 1 a.m.

Pumping out pumpkins: Growing your own gourds for Halloween

ROYAL CITY — With October here, Halloween is fast approaching. While it’s a little late to start a pumpkin crop this season for jack-o’-lanterns ready, it’s not too early to start a crop for next season.

Fresh flow: Ventilation is important for homes, utility units
October 1, 2021 1 a.m.

Fresh flow: Ventilation is important for homes, utility units

MOSES LAKE — Ensuring heating, ventilation and air condition (HVAC) units are free of dust and buildup can make a big difference in the quality of air inside a home.