Othello boys wrestlers qualify 12 for state, win regional title
CHERYL SCHWEIZER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 8 months AGO
The Othello Huskies wrestling team, pictured, took the Region 4 wrestling title Feb. 12.
Rudy Ochoa II/courtesy photo
Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer is a journalist with more than 30 years of experience serving small communities in the Pacific Northwest. She began her post-high-school education at Treasure Valley Community College and enerned her journalism degree at Oregon State University. After working for multiple publications, she has settled down at the Columbia Basin Herald and has been a staple of the newsroom for more than a decade. Schweizer’s dedication to her communities and profession has earned her the nickname “The Baroness of Bylines.” She covers a variety of beats including health, business and various municipalities. | February 16, 2022 1:00 AM
ELLENSBURG — The Othello High School boys wrestling team qualified 12 wrestlers for the state tournament and edged out Selah High School for the Region 4 title in regional competition Saturday in Ellensburg.
“The boys had an excellent weekend,” wrote head OHS wrestling coach Rudy Ochoa II. “I’d say there were about four boys that realistically were a point away, or an injury, from also qualifying. I am so proud of these boys. They are a close-knit group that is a lot of fun to be around.”
Othello took the team title with 240 points, beating Selah by four. Ellensburg finished third with 116 points. Ephrata finished 11th, scoring 45 points.
Wrestlers who took the top four places qualified for state.
Three Othello wrestlers took regional titles, including Isaac Campos at 106 pounds, Marcos Zuniga at 113 pounds, and Josue Solorio at 220 pounds. Ethan Perez-Medina (170 pounds) and Terrill Freeman, 195 pounds – each finished second.
Victorino De La Cruz, 106 pounds; Adriel Flores, 120 pounds; Kyler Freeman, 138 pounds and Alexis Espindola, 182 pounds, each took third place. Forrest Roylance, 132 pounds; Zak Rocha, 145 pounds; and Mason Perez, 285 pounds, finished fourth.
Anthony Abundiz, 132 pounds; Jesus Gonzalez, 160 pounds and Brandon Garza, 195 pounds, each finished fifth and are alternates for the state tournament. If a qualifying wrestler can’t attend the state tournament, an alternate takes that place instead.
Ochoa wrote that the wrestlers who didn’t qualify also have reason to look with satisfaction on their season.
“Our region is extremely tough to get through, and we were neck-and-neck with the best of them,” Ochoa wrote. “They gave all they had and that’s all you can ask for. Our community is proud.”
Mat Classic XXXIII is scheduled for Feb. 18 and 19 at the Tacoma Dome.
“This week we will be back to the drawing board, trying to improve little by little and hopefully put our boys in the best position possible to be successful,” Ochoa wrote.
Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at [email protected].
ARTICLES BY CHERYL SCHWEIZER
Stoke Space looking for first launch in 2027
MOSES LAKE — The owners of Stoke Space Technologies are planning the first launch of the company's reusable space vehicles in 2027. "As early as we can do it next year," said Stoke Space Chief Executive Officer Andy Lapsa. Lapsa and Chief Operations Officer Jonathan Lund attended the Port of Moses Lake commission meeting Monday to update commissioners on the company's progress, and to thank port officials and commissioners for the support they've received since they arrived in Moses Lake in 2021.
Port of Moses Lake awards $31.7 million rail contract
MOSES LAKE — After 20 years of planning a route, obtaining funding and getting rights-of-way, construction on the railway connection between the Port of Moses Lake and the Columbia Basin Railroad should start before the end of the year. "On or about 1 December is when I expect to break ground," said Anne Reese of Rock Project Management, Renton. "The contractor is hoping to mobilize prior to Thanksgiving, but worst case, it'll be right after Thanksgiving."
Moses Lake man arrested for allegedly selling stolen property
MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man was arrested and booked on suspicion of selling stolen property and possessing a stolen vehicle after Grant County Sheriff's deputies interrupted the sale of a stolen pickup Friday. Joseph Vela, 39, was also arrested on an outstanding felony warrant, said Kyle Foreman, GCSO public information officer. Who actually stole the truck is still under investigation, Foreman said. Deputies received a report of a stolen vehicle at about 6:30 p.m. Friday, Foreman said. They found a truck, a 2004 Ford F-150, being hauled on a trailer in the 2000 block of Road L Northeast. The truck was confirmed stolen.