Othello pair take first at Region IV girls tournament in Othello
CASEY MCCARTHY | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 9 months AGO
OTHELLO — Othello High School hosted local wrestlers for the Region IV girls tournament over the weekend. Hanford took the top spot overall for the tournament.
A pair of Huskies grabbed top-place finishes in their weight class, while eight locals have secured their spot in the Tacoma Dome this weekend for the Mat Classic.
At 110 pounds, Othello senior Emily Mendez will make her way back to state after taking down Sunnyside’s Alexxus Ramos in the finals Saturday with the 5-4 decision. Mendez picked up a point with just moments remaining in the third round to take the win on Saturday.
Fellow Huskie Alexis Monday picked up the 3-0 decision over Kelsey Loeun of Mead to grab third place in the weight class and join her teammate in Tacoma.
In the next first-place match on Saturday, Othello’s Iyazely Barraza faced off against Moses Lake freshman Bianca Johnson at 115. Barraza took a 3-0 lead into the third round before Johnson made a late surge. With the score at 5-4, Barraza held off the pin from Johnson in the final moments to secure the top-place finish.
Barraza and Johnson will have a chance to face off again at the Mat Classic.
Wahluke’s Laly Gonzalez picked up a quick pin in the second round of her third-place match at 155 over Kamiakin’s Brenda Rios to advance as well.
At 105, Warden senior Aaliyah Escamilla will make her return to the Mat Classic, taking second place after forfeiting the first-place match victory to Toppenish’s Isabella Morales. Warden head coach Valerie Hernandez said Escamilla is just trying to get in the best condition she can for the upcoming weekend, with the state berth already secured.
Fellow Cougar Alexia Hernandez will join Escamilla in Tacoma after taking fourth place in the 135 division on Saturday in Othello. The junior fell to Goldendale’s Kali Watson with just second left in the second round of their third place match.
At 155, Royal’s Alondra Morales defeated Warden’s Angalee Beck with the first-round pin to grab fifth place in the division on Saturday.
All roads now end at Tacoma this weekend for the 32nd Mat Classic on Friday and Saturday.