Three locals take first at Region IV Tournament in Othello
Casey McCarthy/Columbia Basin Herald Moses Lake’s Bianca Johnson looks to make up points, or secure a pin, in the third round of her finals bout against Othello’s Iyazely Barraza.
Quincy’s Shannon “Ducky” Workinger grins after receiving her medal for her first-place finish in the 155 weight class at the Region IV girls tournament in Othello.
Casey McCarthy/Columbia Basin Herald
Casey McCarthy/Columbia Basin Herald Quincy’s Shannon Workinger picked up the first-round pin against her opponent, Brenda Rios, to advance to the finals on Saturday afternoon at Othello High School.
Casey McCarthy/Columbia Basin Herald Othello senior Emily Mendez works to secure position against Sunnyside’s Alexxus Ramos in the finals of the 110 division.
Casey McCarthy/Columbia Basin Herald Othello’s Iyazely Barraza took down Moses Lake freshman Bianca Johnson in the finals bout at 115 on Saturday at the Region IV Tournament.
Casey McCarthy/Columbia Basin Herald Othello’s Alexis Monday picked up the win over Mead’s Kelsey Loeun in the third place match at 110 to secure her spot in the Tacoma Dome at the Mat Classic.
Casey McCarthy/Columbia Basin Herald Othello’s Emily Mendez picks up her opponent from Sunnyside before slamming her to the mat on Saturday at the Region IV girls tournament.
Casey McCarthy/Columbia Basin Herald Othello senior Emily Mendez makes her way back to the Mat Classic after taking the first-place spot at 110 on Saturday.
Casey McCarthy/Columbia Basin Herald Quincy’s Shannon Workinger works to force her opponent from Kennewick to the mat in the finals bout at 155 on Saturday.
OTHELLO — Othello High School hosted local wrestlers for the Region IV girls tournament over the weekend. Hanford took the top spot overall for the tournament.
Three local wrestlers grabbed top-place finishes in their weight class, while eight locals have secured their spot in the Tacoma Dome this weekend for the Mat Classic.
At 110, Othello senior Emily Mendez will make her way back to state after taking down Sunnyside’s Alexxus Ramos in the finals Saturday with the 5-4 decision. Mendez picked up a point with just moments remaining in the third round to take the win on Saturday.
Fellow Huskie Alexis Monday picked up the 3-0 decision over Kelsey Loeun of Mead to grab third place in the weight class and join her teammate in Tacoma.
In the next first-place match on Saturday, Othello’s Iyazely Barraza faced off against Moses Lake freshman Bianca Johnson at 115. Barraza took a 3-0 lead into the third round before Johnson made a late surge. With the score at 5-4, Barraza held off the pin from Johnson in the final moments to secure the top-place finish.
Barraza and Johnson will have a chance to face off again at the Mat Classic.
Quincy sophomore Shannon Workinger had a strong showing in her finals bout against Kennewick’s Ayanna Asselin at 155. Workinger picked up the second-round pin with 0:15 left on the timer.
Wahluke’s Laly Gonzalez picked up a quick pin in the second round of her third-place match at 155 over Kamiakin’s Brenda Rios to advance as well.
At 105, Warden senior Aaliyah Escamilla will make her return to the Mat Classic, taking second place after forfeiting the first-place match victory to Toppenish’s Isabella Morales. Warden head coach Valerie Hernandez said Escamilla is just trying to get in the best condition she can for the upcoming weekend, with the state berth already secured.
Fellow Cougar Alexia Hernandez will join Escamilla in Tacoma after taking fourth place in the 135 division on Saturday in Othello. The junior fell to Goldendale’s Kali Watson with just second left in the second round of their third place match.
Ephrata’s Marysol Flores nabbed the sixth-place finish in the 100-pound weight class, dropping the 6-5 decision to Connell’s Jocelyn Morales.
Fellow Tiger Rashann Olsen took fifth at 140, defeating Goldendale’s Tiana Watson with the 4-0 decision in the fifth-place match.
At 155, Royal’s Alondra Morales defeated Warden’s Angalee Beck with the first-round pin to grab fifth place in the division on Saturday.
All roads now end at Tacoma this weekend for the 32nd Mat Classic on Friday and Saturday.
