QUINCY — Eleven wrestlers will represent the Quincy Jacks in the 2A bracket of the Mat Classic this year, across the boys and girls teams.   

“Super proud of them,” boys head coach Breck Webley said. “A few of them had great records and were consistent throughout the season and in their performance, so this was just kind of a reflection of that. We had a few outliers teetering on the edge ... and then they just turned it on and peaked at the right time, and were able to clinch a spot, which was awesome to see as well.”  

The boys lay claim to five state competitors for the Jacks. Alejandro Barajas, in the 215-lb class and Jace Reyes in the 138-lb class, head into the tournament with prior experience at the state level. Barajas will be making his third appearance in the Mat Classic, according to Webley.   

“We're obviously hoping to lean on that experience for those couple boys to hopefully make it to the podium,” the coach said.   

Webley believes their prior experience in the state tournament will play to their benefit as they prepare. Even throughout the season, they have simulated scenarios they might see in Tacoma, which include sending them to tougher tournaments around Washington.   

These experiences will help them in their mental preparation, Webley noted.   

“It definitely helps them have the right mindset of, ‘Hey, I've been here before. I’ve earned the right to be here and compete,’” he said.   

As they train leading up to the tournament, Webley and the Jacks are working on simulating quick matches and turnarounds. This will help them prepare for unique situations like wrestling in the morning or having a quick turnaround between matches.   

“Also putting them in tough situations, in terms of situational wrestling, score timing situations they may not be always super comfortable with,” he said.   

For the girls, six will represent the Jacks in Tacoma. One of whom is Jourdan Ferguson, who has made incremental progress in the last few seasons in the Mat Classic, head coach Mark Kondo said as he spoke to a packed Quincy gym after she earned her 100th win.   

Ferguson is once again eyeing progress as she hopes to reach the top of the podium this year. She has worked toward this goal all season, she said.   

“A lot of work, just not giving up has been my biggest thing, and just trying not to get in my own head and just keep trying no matter what happens,” Ferguson said. “Coach Kondo has had the biggest impact on my life. He's been pushing me ever since he got here. He's just done so much for me and (is) one of the best coaches I've ever had.”  

In a previous interview, Kondo said all of his wrestlers were eager to prepare for the postseason and reach the podium in Tacoma. In a highly competitive league like the Central Washington Athletics Conference, Kondo knew the window of opportunity was narrow.   

“The big challenge for us is just getting girls there,” he said. “Toppenish is a defending state champ, Othello has been a runner-up numerous times. They have some quality wrestlers, so just getting our girls there is what we're trying to do and accomplish.”   

As they head to another Mat Classic, Kondo says their appearance in the tournament alone shows signs of a promising future for the Jacks program.   

“It's exciting to see girls getting to the state tournament, and be able to compete at that level, and I think it says something about the quality of girls that we have. They are willing to work hard and have that athletic ability, and I think it's very positive. I think the program right now is in a good place, and it's a very positive experience for our young ladies,” he said.   

    The Jacks’ Emiko Kondo, in pink, attempts to pin an opponent to the mat in a dual meet earlier this season. Kondo will compete in the 100-lb class in the Mat Classic.
  

    Alejandro Barajas, top, prepares to take down the Tigers’ Peyton Woods during their match earlier this season. Barajas will compete in the 215-lb class in the Mat Classic tournament.
  

    Jacks senior Enrique Rebollo battles against Matthew Galloway in the 165-lb class in a match earlier this season. Rebollo is headed to the Mat Classic as a state participant in the 165-lb class.
  

    Crystal Perez gets set for a match against Ephrata earlier this season. Perez will compete in the 110-lb class in the Mat Classic.
  

    Jourdan Ferguson, in pink, attempts to turn her opponent over for a pin in a dual against Ephrata earlier this season. Ferguson finished her regular season with the 100th win in her Quincy career.