Basin wrestling report: opening weekend across the region
IAN BIVONA | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 11 months, 2 weeks AGO
Ian Bivona serves as the Columbia Basin Herald’s sports reporter and is a graduate of Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama. He enjoys the behind-the-scenes stories that lead up to the wins and losses of the various sports teams in the Basin. Football is his favorite sport, though he likes them all, and his favorite team is the Jets. He lives in Soap Lake with his cat, Honey. | December 5, 2023 3:37 PM
MOSES LAKE — Wrestling season got into full swing over the weekend, with local teams traveling across Washington’s east side for early-season tournaments.
Bob Mars Invite — Kennewick
The Mavs finished in 11th place of the Bob Mars Invite in Kennewick, with six wrestlers bringing home placements. Sophomore Ian Garza (106-pound bracket) placed fifth, freshman Duane Zamora (120) placed sixth, junior Cruz Hernandez (126) placed sixth, junior Drayden Gaither (132) finished fourth, freshman Trenton Vasquez placed fourth and senior Dayton Regan (157) placed fifth.
Davis Invite — Yakima
Ephrata’s 115.5 points secured fifth place at the Davis Invite on Saturday, with two Tigers leaving with placements; freshman Nathan Sandoval (106) finished third and senior Zander Boyd (120) placed third.
Wahluke placed 19th in the tournament with 19 points.
Deer Park Invite — Deer Park
Othello recorded a second-place finish at Saturday’s Deer Park Invite, assisted by eight wrestlers placing in their respective weight classes.
Senior Isaac Campos (120) sophomore Mason Russell (126), senior Anthony Abundiz (138), Sophomore Camilo Mendez III (157) and junior Mason Perez (285)all wrestled in the finals, with Campos being the lone first-place finisher. Seniors Adriel Flores and Marcos Zuniga finished fourth and fifth in the 132-pound bracket, respectively, while sophomore Daniel Gonzalez (120) placed fifth.
Eastmont Ladycats Invite — East Wenatchee
Of the 29 teams at the Ladycats Invite, Othello, Ephrata, Quincy and Moses Lake all finished in the top 10 of the tournament, placing third, fourth, seventh and 10th, respectively.
The Huskies had 15 wrestlers place, including top-three placements by senior Naraiah Guzman (100, first), sophomore Janissa Barrera (100, second), freshman Brooklyn Hillman (110B, second), freshman Gabriella Dominguez (135B, third) and senior Elia Velazquez (190, first).
The Tigers had six top-three placements, featuring junior Sophia Julian (130B, first), sophomore Alexiyana Macneil (130B, second), senior Leslie Sanchez Guerrero (145, second), sophomore Alexandra Estrada Rangel (145B, second), senior Kadie McMullen (155, second) and sophomore Adylene Sanchez (155B, first). Ephrata had 11 wrestlers place.
For the Jackrabbits, junior Alondra Cordova (125, second), junior Crystal Vargas (130, third), senior Michelle Acevedo (135, second) and sophomore Diana Trujillo (145B, first) all took home top-three placings, with Quincy having seven wrestlers finish on the podium.
Of the six Moses Lake wrestlers to place at the tournament, four finished in the top three; sophomore Nyellie Martinez (105B, first), senior Ashley Naranjo (115, first), sophomore Reese Prescott (125, first) and senior Gabriela Vela (145, third).
Kennewick Lioness Invitational — Kennewick
The Othello Huskies finished in second place of the Kennewick Lioness Invitational, highlighted by eight wrestlers placing; Senior Ollonie Gonzalez (100) took third, junior Bella Garza (105) placed second, freshman Grayce (115) Mendez placed third, junior Grace Rocha (120) took home sixth, sophomore Victoria de Leon (140) placed fourth, sophomore Angela Monday (145) placed second senior Griselda Sontay (155) placed sixth and senior Elia Velazquez (190) finished first.
Warden finished in eighth place in the tournament with five wrestlers placing; freshman Lynette Figueroa (105, fourth place), senior Alona Castro (110, fourth place), senior Jada Hernandez (115, first place), senior Briana Martinez (120, fourth place) and senior Maribel Dominguez (125, sixth place).
Wahluke finished in 18th with two placers — seniors Angela Santiago (145, fourth place) and Mariangela Gonzalez (155, second place), and Royal placed 19th with one placement; senior Jara Rodriguez (115, fifth place).
Medical Lake Scramble — Medical Lake
Quincy finished in third place in the Medical Lake Scramble, with five wrestlers finishing on the podium. Junior Saidt Alvarez (120), sophomore Jace Reyes (132) and sophomore Enrique Rebollo (165) all left in first place in their respective brackets, while sophomore Anthony Averill (150, fourth) and senior Kaleb Klempel (190, third) both placed as well.
Lind-Ritzville/Sprague finished 11th, with its lone placer being Junior Gabriel Smith (215), who recorded a second-place finish.