W.F. West dominated the Doc Herren tournament held on March 16, 2024, in Auburn, securing three individual championships and finishing third in the team standings with a total of 181.5 points. Key performances by Liam Land and Race Scalici contributed significantly to the Bearcats’ success.
Land showcased his talent in the 150-pound weight class. He advanced through the quarterfinals with a narrow 4-3 victory, capitalizing on all four of his points during the second period. In the semifinals, he secured a 9-7 win, aided by four nearfall points in the third period. Land capped off his tournament with a commanding 15-2 major decision in the finals.
Scalici also had a remarkable tournament, competing in the 157-pound category. He clinched his championship with an 8-6 victory in the finals, aided by two crucial escapes in the third period. Scalici’s journey to the title included two impressive pins.
Additionally, Graysen Serl emerged victorious in the 175-pound weight class, achieving three pins and an 11-4 win in the finals. The Bearcats not only celebrated their champions but also recognized the efforts of Seth Norby-Betts, who placed second at 126 pounds, alongside five other wrestlers who achieved top-six finishes.
Black Hills and Other Local Teams Shine at Jim Bair Invite
At the Jim Bair Invite, held on March 16 in Castle Rock, Black Hills finished strongly, placing sixth overall with a total of 75 points. The Wolves featured two runners-up, with Roberto Rivera-Jesus competing at 120 pounds and losing in the finals by major decision after securing two pins in his earlier matches.
In the 132-pound weight class, Black Hills saw strong performances from Cash Boos and Rorek Foss. Boos advanced to the finals with close victories of 8-6 and 10-9 in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively, placing second. Foss, after losing in the semifinals, fought back to take third with back-to-back wins.
Winlock’s Oscar Silvestre earned a third-place finish at 106 pounds, while Kyle Brockway from Onalaska placed fourth at 215 pounds.
Outstanding Performances at Cougar Clash and Bash at the Beach
At the Cougar Clash on March 16 in Puyallup, Dorien Cano from Rainier and Maddox Rodgers from Rochester each claimed individual titles, leading their teams to respectable finishes. The Warriors placed fourth overall with 85.5 points, while the Mountaineers finished seventh with 73 points.
Rodgers, competing at 165 pounds, dominated his matches, securing three pins, including a swift victory in the finals that took only 35 seconds. Cano, wrestling at 175 pounds, exhibited his skill with a pin and a major decision, alongside a 7-4 semifinal win featuring key takedowns.
For Rochester, Lincoln Bernard at 113 pounds and Liam Walter at 138 pounds both finished second after strong showings in the finals. Other notable performances included Rylan Calica at 150 pounds, who rebounded from a quarterfinal loss to secure third place.
The Bash at the Beach event in Ocean Shores saw both Tenino and Pe Ell secure top-ten finishes. Tenino placed seventh, with Gavin Maurer at 175 pounds and Jaxon Johnson at 215 pounds both reaching the finals, while Pe Ell followed closely in eighth place.
Burnett from Pe Ell also advanced to the finals at 190 pounds, but ultimately placed second. Kaiden Coates at 138 pounds and Hunter Harris at 215 pounds both secured third-place finishes for their respective teams, reinforcing the competitive spirit of the local wrestling circuit.
With these impressive performances, local wrestlers continue to showcase their skills and dedication, setting the stage for future competitions.
