Three Wahluke wrestlers head to state

MATTAWA - Three Wahluke wrestlers have qualified for the state tournament to be held at Mat Classic XXIII in Tacoma this weekend.

Boys Austin Hudson (112 pounds) and Mario Herrera (145 pounds), and girl, Jaqueline Oroperca (160 pounds) all advanced out of regional action on Saturday in Connell.

"It was a somewhat of a disappointing end to a great year," Wahluke head coach Russell Kovalenko said. "With ten kids competing at regionals of course we aspired to do better. The kids have worked so hard this year, and have put in the work necessary to be successful. However for those not going to state, Saturday was a tough day for them. Most see wrestling as just a purely physical sport, but there is so much psychological mental preparation needed to be successful."

The coaching staff however, will focus on the positives and those are the three qualifiers.

"Jaqueline is the first girl in the history of Wahluke to go to state," Kovalenko said. "Staying positive and looking at the small improvements, last year we had two state competitors and one alternate, while this year we have three state competitors and two alternates. We only expect things to get even better in the future.

The three of them have worked very hard this year to be in the best physical and mental shape they could be in to prepare and compete at state," Kovalenko said. "All three of them are set up to do very well. I know they will represent their school proudly."

Wahluke finished their season with a 6-5 dual meet record.

"We earned the respect of their opponents and when we showed up at tournaments people knew Wahluke was there to compete," Kovalenko said. "Our coaching staff worked very well together. My two assistants Jerry Yorgesen and Del Heistand do a great job. Jerry is just a library of wrestling knowledge, a very hard worker, and Del has a ton of knowledge and coaching experience as well. Del has been instrumental in developing the girls wrestling program."