Othello’s Perez heads to Tacoma as No. 1 seed
CHENEY — State berths were at a premium during the 2A Region IV tournament at Cheney High School.
The region itself was comprised of, according to Washington Wrestling Report, six of the 10 best teams in the entire state. Not to mention the wide gap Toppenish has put between itself and the field, regardless of classification.
Despite the breadth of talent in the gym, the Basin was represented well throughout the tournament with a solid group of 2A wrestlers headed to Tacoma. Toppenish ran away with the team championship, scoring 292 points. Isaiah Perez (285) of Othello won a regional championship. Perez never left the first round, pinning Shane Fletcher of Selah and Terrell Underwood of Toppenish before receiving a forfeit in the championship round. Perez headlined an Othello squad that will take five wrestlers to Tacoma.
Jaxon Rocha (138), Arturo Solario (145), Josue Solorio (195) and Elijah Roylance (220) all qualified for the state tournament.
Team scores: 1. Toppenish 292, 2. Selah 128, 4. Othello 107, 8. Quincy 55.5, 9. Ephrata 53.
Top four to state
Ephrata placers: 126, Hudson Sager, 6th; 182, Carter Mills, 4th; 195, Kevin Pelayo, 3rd; 195, Mac Laird, 1st.
Othello placers: 126, Forrest Roylance, 5th; 132, Kyler Freeman, 6th; 138, Jaxon Rocha, 3rd; 145, Arturo Solario, 4th; 152, Jonathan Gomez, 5th; 160, Nathan Garza Jr., 6th; 182, Alexis Espindola, 6th; 195, Josue Solorio, 4th; 220, Elijah Roylance, 3rd; 285, Isaiah Perez, 1st.
Quincy placers: 126, Israel Perez, 4th; 152, Oswaldo Perez, 3rd; 170, Mykenzi Realme, 4th; 220, Ruben Vargas, 2nd.
Royal sending seven to Mat Classic
GRANGER — Royal had one regional champion, three regional finalists and qualified seven for Mat Classic at the 1A Region III tournament.
Benji Bustos (170) edged Jekoby Tuttle of Connell 5-2 in the championship round. Dominic Martinez (132) fell 6-4 in sudden victory to Dawson Husted of Zillah. Lorenzo Myrick (160) and Kevin Dominguez (220) were both pinned in their final matches.
Royal was the top Basin team at regionals, finishing fourth overall with 124 points. Granger held off Zillah by three points, 254.5-251.5, for the regional crown.
Warden had a pair of regional champs and will send four to Tacoma. Cael Cox pinned Jorge Espinoza of Zillah for the 113-pound title and Holden Haworth also beat a Leopard, Jared Garcia, 6-3 for the 152-pound championship. Wahluke’s Pedro Castaneda (285) finished second to reach Tacoma.
Team scores: 1. Granger 254.5, 2. Zillah 251.5, 4. Royal 124, 5. Warden 90.5, 8. Wahluke 30.
Top four to state
Royal placers: 106, Isaac Toro, 6th; 126, Yahir Morales, 4th; 126, Vidal Abundiz, 6th; 132, Dominic Martinez, 2nd; 145, Kaleb Hernandez, 4th; 152, Mark Martinez, 3rd; 160, Lorenzo Myrick, 2nd; 170, Clinton Garnick, 6th; 170, Benji Bustos, 1st; 220, Kevin Dominguez, 2nd.
Wahluke placers: 120, Salvador Avalos, 6th; 220, Seth Yorgesen, 6th; 285, Pedro Castaneda, 2nd.
Warden placers: 113, Cason Cox, 5th; 113, Cael Cox, 1st; 132, Brenton Cole, 4th; 138, Dahani Trupp, 5th; 152, Holden Haworth, 1st; 195, Eduardo Suarez, 4th.