On Saturday, Dec. 12, the OHS Wildcats traveled to Puyallup High School to participate in the 2015 George Wilfong Classic. In a 15-team field made up of primarily 4A and 3A schools, the Cats finished 9th overall.
Ocosta and fellow Pacific League team, North Beach, were the only two 2B teams in the competition.
Tourney results
1. Puyallup - 208.5, 2. Ellensburg – 202, 3. Orting - 195.5, 4. Sultan - 156, 5. Marysville Pilchuck - 118, 6. Spanaway Lake - 112.5, 7. Bellarmine - 105, 8. Jackson - 86, 9. Ocosta - 76, 10. Kingston - 69, 11. Emerald Ridge - 66, 12. Federal Way - 61.5, 13. Mariner - 34, 14. Cascade Christian - 29, 16. North Beach - 8
Rutzer in finals
The Wildcats sent three wrestlers to the championship semifinals, with Cole Rutzer moving on to the championship finals. Rutzer reached the 113 lb. finals with a first period pin over TJ Cantu of Ellensburg.
In his championship finals match, Rutzer drew a rematch against his semi-final opponent from last year in David Woo of Sultan. Woo took the honors this time, in a hard fought 7-1 decision over Rutzer.
Semi-finals
Sam Quinby made his way to the 126 lb. semis with a first round bye and an 8-6 decision over Tanner Blair of Ellensburg. Quinby lost a 9-3 decision to Jason Walker of Puyallup and dropped to the consolation bracket.
Senior heavyweight Daniel Helman cruised to the semis with two first round pins, but ended up short vs. Kenny Marl of Orting.
3rd Place finishers
Due to the five match daily limit, the sixteen-man bracket finished with winners of the consolation semifinals tying for third, and losers tying for fifth.
After their championship semifinal losses, Sam Quinby and Daniel Helman each went on to take third place. Quinby defeated Jacob Diehl of Kingston with a pin in 2:37, and Helman won with a :55 pin over Adam Holston of Marysville Pilchuck.
Scott 5th
Ocosta junior, Kalvyn Scott, lost in the 170lb championship quarterfinals but worked his way back to the consolation semis. Kalvyn fell to Cade Stevenson of Ellensburg and finished in fifth.
Also wrestling for the Wildcats on Saturday were freshmen Daniel Quinby(113lbs) and Tucker Deranleau(220); sophomores Gabe Elder(160) and Hayden Hoff(195); juniors Kaleb Orton(120), Cosmo Silver(145) and Matthew Hart(152). Senior Dylan Furford wrestled at 138lbs.
Match Saturday
The Wildcat Wrestlers travel to Wahkiakum High School on Saturday, Dec. 19, to wrestle in the 2015 Wahkiakum Downriver Challenge at Wahkiakum High School in Cathlamet. Wrestling begins at 10 a.m.