WARDEN — Warden boys wrestling coach Johnny Hernandez said his team has measured itself – and improved – against tough competition all year. It has paid off with 14 Warden wrestlers advancing to Mat Classic. 

“Last year we only took four guys. Now we’ve got 14. We’re definitely looking to do better than we did last year,” Hernandez said. “Our goal at the end of the year was to be in the top 10 (at the state tournament), and I think we’ve got the team to do it.”  

The Cougars set the goal of wrestling their best at the end of the season, and they’ve been meeting that goal, Hernandez said.  

“It’s been a real tough year for us. Literally, this year we had our whole team together one time. It feels like now that we’ve got them all together, we’re peaking at the right time,” he said. “Young guys are stepping up, the captains are leading the team – it's all coming together. We had a great weekend last weekend.” 

Warden finished fifth in its district tournament, which Hernandez said in his opinion is the toughest 2B district in the state. 

“The top five teams are all in our region – Tonasket, Okanogan, Liberty Bell, Goldendale and Granger are all top five,” he said. “We actually did catch Granger last weekend and ended up fifth. (At Mat Classic) we’re hoping to stay in the top 10. But for that to happen we’ve got to get some kids into the semis and maybe sneak one into the finals.”  

The Cougars are a young team, he said, and in some ways he expects Mat Classic 2025 to be a learning experience. Warden has two returning state competitors.  

“When you’ve got a lot of young kids, the (Tacoma Dome) can freak them out sometimes, just because it’s such a big place,” he said. “I told the group the goal is to come and get some experience this year. Hopefully, you guys do well, but obviously we’re all coming back next year.” 

Hernandez said this year has shown his team is willing to make the commitment to improve. 

“It’s a testament to these kids. We met this summer and put a lot of work in. We’ve got 14 kids, and we’re only taking three seniors. We’re a young team; we’re going to get a lot of experience and hopefully get that top 10. Then bring back that big bunch of kids back next year and hopefully just keep building,” he said. 

Girls 

Seven girls are off to represent the Cougars this weekend at the Mat Classic. While the team has had some challenges, they’ve managed to carve out placings, including an eighth-place showing at home for the Warden Women’s Wrestling Invite. Senior Carolina Urias took sixth place in the 170-pound bracket at that home competition.  

Senior Dannika Escamilla, wrestling in the 110-pound bracket, has had a strong placing including a first-place showing at the Connell Girls Invitational in mid-January.  

Warden Cougars Roster 

Boys 

senior Kolby Klueber (126)  

senior Michael Gonzalez (138) 

senior Junior Santiago (144) 

senior Eli Rios (175)  

senior Jonathon Baerholm (215)  

junior Erik Camacho (120)  

junior Gabriel Serna (215)  

junior Valentin Juarez (285)  

sophomore Raylen Heredia (113)  

sophomore Jesus Arias (285)  

sophomore Jaden Hernandez (190)  

freshman Luis Cisneros (120)  

freshman Nikko Ruiz (132)  

eighth-grader Stratton Yorgensen (106) 

Alternates: sophomore Bryan Zaragoza (132) 

Girls 

senior Dannika Escamilla (110) 

senior Carolina Urias (170)  

junior Ximena Arriaga (110) 

junior Dana Yorgesen (115) 

junior Ashley Cruz (130) 

sophomore Sara Lino (190)  

freshman Giuliana Pruneda (155) 

    Warden senior Dannika Escamilla, in blue, took fourth in the 110-pound class at the 1A/2B/1B District 5 tournament on Friday, advancing to the Mat Classic.
  

    Warden sophomore Raylen Heredia, top, earns a near fall at the EWAC League Tournament on Feb. 8. Heredia will wrestle in the 113-pound class at the Mat Classic later this week.
  

    Warden junior Dana Yorgesen, right, is one of seven Cougar girls wrestlers who will wrestle at the 1A/2B/1B Girls Mat Classic in Tacoma.
  

    Warden junior Ximena Arriaga, in blue, faces off against Royal’s Alina Valentin, right, in district competition earlier this month. Arriaga’s performance this season has earned her a trip to the Tacoma Doma.
  

    Warden Junior Ashley Cruz, left, took sixth in the Warden Women’s Wrestling Invite in December. Strong performances have her taking the trip to the Mat Classic this weekend.