The postseason has been a new experience for many Aberdeen High School wrestlers. The Bobcats, however, have proven to be quick studies.
A total of five Aberdeen grapplers, headed by junior Jacob Jamieson, who took first place in the 170-pound division, punched their ticket to Mat Classic XXVIII by placing among the top four at the 2A Region 3 wrestling tournament.
The state tournament will take place February 19-20 at the Tacoma Dome. The high number of participants comes one season after Aberdeen failed to have anyone at last year’s event, as no wrestler finished above sixth place at regionals.
“A lot of them haven’t been here before,” Aberdeen coach Jimmy Martin said about his squad’s performance at this year’s regional tournament. “They’re kids that want to get to the Tacoma Dome, but they just aren’t used to it. I do think we were kind of shell shocked early on, but we’re good now.”
Jamieson defeated Hockinson’s Colton Wheeler in overtime, 4-2, in the championship match to take home his first regional title. He opened the tournament with back-to-back victories by pinfall, beating Austin King of Hudson’s Bay (5:35) and Hunter Robbins of Mark Morris (2:50) to advance to the finals.
“He’s very slow and methodical,” Martin said Jamieson. “He’s not going to be flashy, but he doesn’t make any mistakes. He’s just a smart wrestler.”
Connor Horton was the second Bobcat to earn a berth in a finals match. The 160-pound senor lost in the title round to Shorecrest’s Owen Donnelly, 5-0.
“(Horton) is one of those guys who doesn’t wrestle the way you teach it, but he’s good at what he does,” Martin said. “He has really good defense. He is one of the best wrestlers on the mat in the state, but kind of struggles on his feet a little bit. He’s tough to take down. He’s like one of those spider monkeys.”
Aberdeen senior Erick Juarez dropped his first-round match in the 132-pound division before rallying to win three straight matches to wrap up his first trip to the state tournament.
“Just advance, advance, advance. That’s all I thought about today. I am so happy. Last year I went and watched (the state tournament),” said Juarez, who pinned Washougal’s Dylan Cherry (1:56) to secure the third-place finish. “I feel like I am going to do great (at state). This region has prepared me a lot.”
Rounding out the list of Aberdeen state participants is Bobby Rowe, who finished third at 145 and sophomore Angel Cisneros, the fourth-place finisher in the 113-pound division.
Other Local Wrestlers Heading to State
Montesano advanced six wrestlers to the state tournament, getting 1A Region 2 individual championships from Jacob Ellefson (120 pound), Tony Williams (126), Austin Cain (152) and Taylor Rupe (285).
The Bulldogs, who finished third overall as a team at last year’s Mat Classic, also received a second place from Kylar Prante (182) and a fourth place from Tyler Izatt.
Cain and Williams both won their title match with pins, while Ellefson defeated Kaleb Carroll of Castle Rock, 11-1, in his championship round.
Ellefson, Cain and Prante each finished second at last year’s state tournament. Prante dropped his regional champion match to defending titlist Jack Dehgren of Forks by injury default. Prante, last season’s district 170-pound champion, breezed to the finals by knocking off Kalama’s Brady Harmon, 13-0.
Rupe, who posted a third-place finish at state as a junior in the 220-pound classification, captured his second consecutive district title by defeating Tristan Tumaua of Forks, 4-1, in the finals.
Elma had a pair of champions in Cory March (160) and Jeremiah Leona (145), while 220-pound Gary Aube gave Hoquiam its lone regional champion.
The Eagles will take five wrestlers to the state tournament, including Mario Yanez (third, 120), Colten French (third, 113) and sophomore James Hepper, who finished second in 138-pound final.
Joining Aube at state for the Grizzlies will be Artimus Johnson, runner-up the 170-pound division, and Tahj Malone, a third-place finisher at 182.
Aberdeen and Hoquiam each had a pair of regional champions with the Bobcats getting titles from Faith Cardenas (100) and Emily Wharton (190), while Bianca Lopez (105) and Jenna Doll (155) wrapped up crowns for the Grizzlies.
Aberdeen will also bring five wrestlers to the state tournament with Maya Kuhl (fourth, 115), Alexandria Wilson (third, 130) and Kathleen Slyter (third, 235) also advancing. Alexis Delahanty (third, 100) and Mercedes Pinnell (second, 115) will represent Hoquiam.
Elma sisters Anna and Taylor Dick both advanced to state by finishing third (170) and second (130), respectively, in their weight classes.
