Leading all the other B classification schools in the tournament, the OHS Wildcat wrestlers finished 4th with 135 points at last Saturday’s Hoquiam Grizzly Invitational. The top three teams were Lincoln of Tacoma (265.5), Aberdeen (189.5), and Hoquiam (177).
Two in finals
Two Wildcats wrestled to the championship finals. After receiving a first round bye in the 113 lb. division, Senior Cole Rutzer defeated Aberdeen’s Angel Cisneros by a 16-3 major decision and Colton French of Elma with a pin in 4:49. Rutzer was defeated in the finals by Chris Jackson of Lincoln High.
Junior Sam Quinby (126 lb.) had a similar route to the finals, with a bye to start the day. In the quarterfinals, Quinby defeated Tristan Hamlin of Willapa Harbor 9-0, and then advanced to the finals with a 7-5 decision over Daryn Kaczmarczyk of Hoquiam. Quinby’s championship bout matched him against Joseph Lewis of Willapa Harbor. Lewis came out on top with a 20-5 technical fall.
Two take 3rd
Seniors Byron Hongell (220) and Daniel Helman (285) placed 3rd on the day. In the consolation finals, Hongell defeated Skyler Smith of Adna with a 7-6 decision, and Helman pinned Afi Salevao of Lincoln in 1:26.
As has happened in other sixteen-man tournaments this season, some wrestlers in the consolation bracket reach their five-match limit and are unable to wrestle the final consolation match. Due to this match limit rule, Matthew Hart tied for third at 145 pounds and Kalvyn Scott tied for third at 160 pounds.
Two place 5th
Rounding out the consolation matches were Hayden Hoff, placing 5th at 195 pounds and Kaleb Orton who tied for 5th at 120 pounds.
Also wrestling for the Wildcats were Daniel Quinby, Gabe Elder and Tucker Deranleau.
Cheer ‘em on
The wrestlers will travel to Rainier High School on Saturday, Jan 16, at the Sgt. Justin Norton Memorial Invitational. Action starts at 10 a.m. Come on out and cheer on the Wildcats.