Oak Harbor wrestlers made an impressive showing at sub-regional tournaments over the weekend, with members of both the girls and boys teams qualifying to advance to the next competition.
Coaches from both teams were proud of their athletes’ results. The qualifying girls team members will compete at the regional tournament in Sedro-Woolley on Saturday, Feb. 12, while the qualifying boys will wrestle at their regional tournament in Snohomish the same day.
On the girls team, three athletes qualified to compete, with two more attending regionals as alternates. Captain Alyssia Grose, a senior, took second place in her weight division, while sophomore Zoe Beeman and freshman Olivia Hudson each placed fifth in their respective divisions. Girls had to finish in the top five of their weight class at sub-regionals to qualify.
Freshman Julia Gonzales and sophomore Alexandra Powers, who each placed sixth in their weight class, will go as alternates.
The Oak Harbor girls wrestling team placed ninth out of 31 teams that competed at sub-regionals, a remarkable feat for such a young team, according to Coach Brian Farmer.
“I was extremely pleased by the performance of our team this past weekend,” he said. “I couldn’t be prouder of our girls and their effort on the mat.”
The coach said he expects fierce competition at regionals. The top five girls in each weight class will progress to the state tournament.
From the boys team, 11 wrestlers will go on to regionals with one alternate. Boys had to place in the top six of their respective weight divisions to qualify.
Freshman Percie Hatfield placed first in his division. Freshman Josiah Christopherson, junior Miles Erikson and senior Cole Valdez each placed third. Senior Jaden Scott, sophomore Brody Snyder and junior Brendan Doria all placed fourth. Senior Timothy Powers placed fifth. Senior Timothy Luttrell-Dingler, junior Camren Reyes and senior Samuel Martin each came in sixth. Senior Taylor Burton placed seventh in his weight class and will attend the tournament as an alternate.
As a team, the Oak Harbor boys came in third out of 11 teams at the tournament. Qualifiers will compete at regionals this weekend.
“Oak Harbor had a phenomenal showing at sub-regions,” Coach Lawrence Falcon said. “We had several surprises throughout the two days. The boys seemed to have a mission of showing that we are a team that competes at the highest level.”
Photo by John Fisken Team captain and senior Alyssia Grose competes at sub-regionals Feb. 4 in Meridian. She took second place in her weight class.
