Warden wrangles Schmunk Invitational title
WARDEN — The Warden Cougars continued their season of 1A dominance Saturday when they rode the performances of two tournament champions to the Jeremiah Schmunk Invitational wrestling tournament team championship.
Warden head coach Rick Bowers was satisfied with his team’s performance at the home tournament.
“We won it, we had a good day,” he said. “It was pleasant, but not really a big surprise.”
The Cougars capitalized on championship-winning performances from Chris Kalous at 130 pounds and Dakota Scott at 189 pounds to distance themselves from second-place Cashmere.
“Chris has been solid all year,” Bowers said. “He has been the foundation. He has been rock-solid.”
Warden sent wrestlers to the finals in seven different weight classes, including four straight from 112 pounds through 130 pounds, to run away with the team title.
With the Warden tournament championship under their belts, Bowers said he and his team are putting the pieces together for the impending postseason.
“We are putting the pieces together for the team we want to see at districts,” he said.
The Royal Knights took fourth place as a team behind Warden, Cashmere and third-place Connell. The Knights sent two wrestlers to the finals, bringing home one champion when Danny Barajas claimed the title at 112 pounds.
Tigers finish sixth at Eastmont Classic
EAST WENATCHEE, Wash. — The Tigers of Ephrata scratched and clawed their way to a sixth place finish at the 15-school Eastmont Cats Classic Saturday in East Wenatchee.
The Tigers brought home their lone tournament champion with Robert Motzkus claimed the title at 171 pounds as Ephrata sent two wrestlers to the finals.
Motzkus claimed his tournament title when he pinned Gino Russell of White River in 4:48.
Ephrata’s other finalist came in the 160-pound weight class with Chris Davidson. Davidson fell to River Ridge’s Michael Fujimori 10-3 in the 160-pound championship match.
The Tigers finished the tournament with 105 team points, 73.5 behind tournament champion and 2A Central Washington Athletic Conference rival Ellensburg.
Ephrata’s Anthony Bush finished third at 125 pounds, Preston Hendrickson finished sixth at 135 pounds, Kurt Nygard finished fifth at 140 and Quinton Hendrickson finished third at 145 pounds.