28 turn out for Wahluke girls wrestling

MATTAWA - No one knows how good the Wahluke High School girls wrestling team will be. But first-year coach Bill Higgins has welcomed 28 girls onto the team. And there may be more coming.

There are 14 weight classes in girls wrestling. Higgins believes his girls will be able to fill all 14, which will make them highly competitive in dual meets and invitationals. There should be few forfeits.

Higgins has experience coaching girls. He coached a team in Nevada. Still, it's going to take him a while to learn what these girls can do. Most of them are new to wrestling or to the team.

Two girls who have caught Higgins's attention are senior Susana Bartolo and freshman Roxana Rincon. Both are new to the sport.

"Susana is dynamic," Higgins said. "She gets it, and she learns the moves fast. Roxana learns fast and works hard. They're all working really hard to learn the moves."

The teams leaders should be senior Misty Jensen (135-140), senior Jenny Aznaran (HW) and junior Fatima Romero (119). All three competed at the regional tournament last year.

The Wahluke girls wrestling season will kick off on Dec. 12 in a four-way meet with Goldendale, Granger and Warden at Wahluke. Two days later, the Warriors will go to Warden for another tournament.