Warden Lady Cougars aim to improve on 2010 season finish

WARDEN - Most of the power in girls wrestling dwells on the west side of the state.

But don't tell that to the Warden Lady Cougars.

For those out of the loop, the girls wrestling state tournament, which takes place this weekend in Tacoma at Mat Classic XXIII, is a one-class affair. Every team is thrown together into one pot, winner take all.

After last year's sixth place finish - despite being one of the smaller schools on the board - what's keeping Warden and its seven state qualifiers from making even more noise in 2011?

"The girls all know what the expectations are as a team as well as individually going into this weekend," Warden head coach Valerie Hernandez said. "We set goals as a team and each girl set their goals at the beginning of the season and are looking forward to accomplishing them this weekend."

Behind their regional winning performance this past weekend at Connell, the Lady Cougars may have the depth to improve on their 50-point mark from 2010 and move up the Survivor-like board.

"The girls, having to compete as a one-class field and being able to accomplish what we have as a B school, are very excited," Hernandez said. "This does not change our goals or expectations but it is also very rewarding knowing we are competing with the whole state."

Would it be even better for the program's state title chances if the state split the sport into classes like the boys' field?

"As far as the state tournament being split for the girls, it is up to the WIAA and will not change how we prepare each year as a team," Hernandez said.

The Lady Cougars will head into battle behind the leadership of senior Carter Marks, who took the 152-pound title at Reardan.

"Carter is our senior captain and returning state placer and has led this team to success," Hernandez said. "She has worked day in and day out to get her team to the dome where she says she is determined to place high.  She is truly an amazing athlete who will give one hundred percent at all times in the practice room, out on the mat, and in the classroom."

Five other wrestlers all finished as runners-up at Connell as Warden ran away with the title scoring 177 points.

Deianeira Caudle (103 pounds), Miexy Gonzales (130 pounds), Taylor Edson (135 pounds), Michelle Gonzales (145 pounds), and Genesis Gonzalez (160 pounds) all took second in their respective classes and those results could foreshadow a strong outing at the Tacoma Dome.

Bianca Hernandez (125 pounds) is the seventh member of the contingent that will travel west for the state finals, a part of Washington they are quite familiar with.

"The season has gone very well for us being able to travel to the west side and take two tournaments while also capturing the dream duals for the second straight year," Hernandez said. "We have continued that success so far in the postseason with the district and regional team championships. We are continuing to show why the girls program is strong and here to stay in Warden."

With the combination of senior leadership from Marks and Michelle Gonzales, determination of Caudle, improvement from Miexy Gonzales, Edson's work ethic, Genesis Gonzalez' hard work, and Bianca Hernandez' late surge, anything could be possible for the Lady Cougars when the curtain drops on Mat Classic XXIII.

One thing is for sure, they expect to be back up on the board now and for years to come.

WARDEN LADY COUGARS

Head coach: Valerie Hernandez

2010-2011 State Finish:  Sixth

2010-2011 Dual Record: not applicable

2010-2011 League Finish: not applicable

2010-2011 District Finish: Champions

2010-2011 Regional Finish: Champions

2010-2011 State Qualifiers (Name, weight class, first round opponent, time): Deianeria Caudle 

(freshman, 103 pounds, vs. Cassidy Mast, Sedro Woolley, 10:08 a.m.), Bianca Hernandez (sophomore, 125 pounds, vs. Samantha Keesler, Yelm, 10:56 a.m. ), Miexy Gonzales (sophomore. 

130 pounds, vs. Jennifer Anderson, Emerald Ridge, 11:04 a.m. ), Taylor Edson (junior, 135 pounds, vs. Taylor Walker, Hoquiam, 11:28 a.m.), Michelle Gonzales (senior, 145 pounds, vs. Caitlyn Pell, Burlington Edison, 12 p.m.), 

Carter Marks (senior, 152 pounds, vs. Victoria Carlson, Battle Ground, 12:08 p,m.), and Genesis Gonzalez (junior, 160 pounds, vs. Morgan Michels, Yelm, 12:32 p.m.).