Knights win SCAC girls league championship
IAN BIVONA | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 hours, 47 minutes AGO
Royal freshman Sophia Villafana, right, takes down her opponent at the SCAC Girls League Championships on Wednesday. Villafana finished in second place of the 100-pound weight class.
IAN BIVONA/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
Wahluke freshman Kitzely Nunez-Olivares, left, wrestles against an opponent from Zillah at the SCAC Girls League Championships. Nunez-Olivares took third in the 135-pound class.
Wrestlers from Wapato and Kiona-Benton duel on the mat. Wapato finished second at the tournament, while Kiona-Benton placed third as a team. Royal won the tournament, scoring 210 points.
A College Place wrestler pins a Connell wrestler at Wednesday’s SCAC Girls League Championships.
Royal senior Lauren Jenks, left, takes on a wrestler from Connell at Wednesday’s SCAC Girls League Championships in Royal City. Jenks won the 135-pound weight class at the tournament.
Wahluke freshman Zoe Cardenas Rivera, in maroon, attempts to lift her opponent at the SCCA Girls League Championships on Wednesday in Royal City.
Royal sophomore Ninel Barajas, top, nearly pins her opponent at Wednesday’s tournament. Barajas took fourth in the 105-pound class.
A wrestler from College Place attempts to take down a Cashmere wrestler.
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. | January 31, 2025 3:00 AM
ROYAL CITY – Royal's girls wrestling team was crowned South Central Athletic Conference league champions at Wednesday’s league championship meet in Royal City, scoring 210 points as a team to win the tournament.
Wapato was the runner-up, scoring 99.5 points Wednesday. Kiona-Benton finished third with 83 points. Wahluke took eighth with 41 points.
“It was super exciting,” Royal Head Coach Jesus Carlos Villa said. “The girls were really excited to do the dance in front of their friends and family. They went out there, they did a good job and had fun.”
Twelve Knights finished in the top four at the tournament; among the placers were freshman Sophia Villafana (100 pounds, second), sophomore Ninel Barajas (105, fourth), sophomore Isabelle Barajas (110, second), sophomore Alina Valentin (110, fourth), freshman Vanessa Flores (155, second) and senior Jade Flores (155, third).
“They’re part of a group that’s setting the standard for our wrestling program,” Villa said. “I think they’re doing a great job and having fun while doing it.”
Six Royal wrestlers finished on top of their respective weight classes at Wednesday’s SCAC League Championships: junior Sharon Arroyo (100 pounds), sophomore Heaven Parker (120), junior Evelyn Acencio (130), senior Lauren Jenks (135), freshman Hali Christensen (140) and senior Madisen Christensen (170).
Wahluke had three placers at the tournament; senior Heaven Antunez took fourth at 120 pounds, freshman Kitzely Nunez-Olivares placed third at 135 pounds and sophomore Marleny Hurtado took third at 145 pounds.
“It’s a good confidence builder for the girls, especially right now, going into postseason,” Villa said. “We’re trying to build all the confidence that we can, and it looks like the girls are peaking at the right time. Hopefully they can carry that momentum into the postseason.”
Along with the girls putting on strong showings on the mat, Villa credited Royal’s assistant coaches – Liliana Luna, Jerry Villa and Jose Barajas – for getting the wrestlers prepared for the league championship meet.
“They do a good job in helping get our technique and motivate the girls to get them ready,” Villa said.
Royal, along with several teams from the Columbia Basin and beyond, will travel to the Bring Home Da Beef tournament in Quincy on Saturday. Almira/Coulee-Hartline, Ephrata, Moses Lake, Othello, Quincy, Wahluke and Warden will also be in attendance.
“It’s just mat time, there’s no pressure at all – it's just another tournament,” Villa said. “It’s our little last practice for some of our second string and JV girls. That’s the way the girls are looking at it; if we can place high, that’s just a bonus.”
The Knights travel to sub-district competition next Saturday at Warden.
“Come support the girls wrestling; they get really excited when people come watch,” Villa said. “Whether it’s Royal or any school, go support.”
Wahluke freshman Kitzely Nunez-Olivares, left, wrestles against an opponent from Zillah at the SCAC Girls League Championships. Nunez-Olivares took third in the 135-pound class.
Wrestlers from Wapato and Kiona-Benton duel on the mat. Wapato finished second at the tournament, while Kiona-Benton placed third as a team. Royal won the tournament, scoring 210 points.
A College Place wrestler pins a Connell wrestler at Wednesday’s SCAC Girls League Championships.
Royal senior Lauren Jenks, left, takes on a wrestler from Connell at Wednesday’s SCAC Girls League Championships in Royal City. Jenks won the 135-pound weight class at the tournament.
Wahluke freshman Zoe Cardenas Rivera, in maroon, attempts to lift her opponent at the SCCA Girls League Championships on Wednesday in Royal City.
Royal sophomore Ninel Barajas, top, nearly pins her opponent at Wednesday’s tournament. Barajas took fourth in the 105-pound class.
A wrestler from College Place attempts to take down a Cashmere wrestler.
ARTICLES BY IAN BIVONA
Knights win SCAC girls league championship
ROYAL CITY – Royal's girls wrestling team was crowned South Central Athletic Conference league champions at Wednesday’s league championship meet in Royal City, scoring 210 points as a team to win the tournament.
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