Othello girls wrestling second at Kelso Invitational

| January 14, 2017 12:00 AM

KELS0 — Othello crowned one champion and finished second at the expansive Kelso Invitational.

Yelm pulled away on Day 2 to win the team title with 242 points. Othello was the runner-up with 217.5 points; Central Washington Girls Wrestling League members Sunnyside and Warden finished third and fourth, respectively, with 177 and 175 points.

“Overall it was great, great competition,” Othello head coach JJ Martinez said. “It was great exposure.”

Nikki Velazquez (130) withstood some antics in the semifinals, beating Yelm’s Carly Smith by disqualification before dispatching state runner-up Auna Carpio of Decatur in the finals 8-1.

“Nikki stayed poised through adversity and through some bad decision-making from the other end,” Martinez said. “She let her wrestling do the talking.”

Kaylee Martinez (145) lost to two-time state champion Jasmine Parker-Borrero in the semifinals 12-5 before ralling to finish third; freshman Emily Mendez (100) also took third.

Elizabeth Giles (135) and Victoria Mendoza (170) finished fifth.

Warden had two runners-up: Aaliyah Escamilla (100) and Mariah Garza (110). Escamilla lost to Kenzie Cormier of Enumclaw 4-0 and Garza lost to Viktorya Torres of Granger by fall in the third round.