Pair of Warriors headed to Tacoma Dome
Casey McCarthy/Columbia Basin Herald Pedro Castaneda of Wahluke secured his place at the Mat Classic over the weekend in the 285-pound weight class.
TACOMA — Wahluke head coach Jerry Yorgesen said to look for a more aggressive Pedro Castaneda at this year’s Mat Classic.
The 270-pound junior was a little tentative when he reached last year’s state tournament, according to his coach, but has returned his this season with a more open approach. Castaneda was second at districts and regionals, bringing a No. 9 ranking into state.
“I see him doing better,” Yorgesen said. “He definitely has the confidence, more so this year than last year.”
Castaneda was a state participant in 2019 and will surely look to reach the placing rounds this season.
“I think they’re (expectations) pretty high this year,” Yorgesen said. “He’s a junior, he’s a lot stronger, he’s about 270 (pounds).”
Yorgesen also cited a successful football season as a lineman and an increased bench press and squat for Castaneda.
The Class 1A 285-pound field is a little murky as the majority of wrestlers ranked ahead of Castaneda were only state participants. Hunter Reinhart of Cascade was a state finalist a year ago and is the favorite. Kenny Koonrad of Montesano finished seventh last season and is ranked second behind Reinhart, but those are the only two returning state placers.
Castaneda’s first-round opponent is David Durham of Columbia-White Salmon. Regardless of opponent, Yorgesen knows one thing about his junior heavyweight.
“He won’t wrestle scared,” he said.
After a miraculous run to the state finals as a freshman, Laly Gonzalez returns to the state tournament for the third consecutive season. Gonzalez placed third in regionals and will face Nevaeh Cassidy of Union in the first round; Cassidy is ranked fourth overall.