Wrestlers close season with mixed dual

WARDEN — Warden High School hosted wrestlers from six local schools Saturday for a unique mixed dual event. Wrestlers from the competing schools were mixed into two separate teams wrestling on one mat under the spotlight.

Participating teams came from Royal, Wahluke, Ephrata, Oroville, Cashmere and Warden high schools.

Wahluke head coach Rigo Tapia said this season has been about getting his wrestlers in shape which has been difficult given the circumstances surrounding the season.

“It’s really hard when everything is limited like the weight room, but other than that, I feel bad for the seniors,” Tapia said. “But there’s nothing you can do. Hopefully, next year we get a better year.”

Royal High School senior Dominic Martinez said it was pretty emotional seeing the light come down over the mat.

“It kind of gave me butterflies again; it took me back a bit,” Martinez said. “But at the end of the day, it’s wrestling, it’s fun. It made me a little bit emotional. I’m not gonna lie. It should be Districts right now.”

Royal senior Benji Bustos said the wrestling program has meant “almost everything” to him after getting introduced to the sport in third grade by his older brother.

“Since I was 8 years old, I’ve been on the mat wrestling and grinding for the dream of being a state champion,” Bustos said. “It’s honestly my life. I’ll continue to follow the sport. I don’t know, it’s just hard.”

Bustos said it was tough not getting to spend as much time as he wanted to with his team who’ve been like a family to him.

“It’s been hard, but I feel like my team’s helped me and brought me motivation,” Bustos said.

As the regular season comes to a close, North Central Region wrestlers gear up for a culminating event Thursday at Tonasket High School.

Complete results:

Marysol Flores (EPH) d. Angie Ozuna (WAR)

William Flynn (EPH) d. Manny Canales (WAR)

Walker Fulk (EPH) d. Jose Arriaga (WAR)

Jada Hernandez (WAR) d. Cynthia Valdez (WAH)

Vidal Abundiz (ROY) d. Cael Cox (WAR)

Haley Felker (WAH) d. Mckell Johns (EPH)

Angel Cruz (WAR) d. Salvador Avaros (WAH)

Wyatt Sherrer (ORO) d. Kevin Lopez (WAH)

Angelica Santiago (WAH) d. Ralene Wheatly (CASH)

Yahir Morales (ROY) d. Cason Cox (WAR)

Rashan Olsen (EPH) d. Megan Tapia (WAH)

Dominic Martinez (ROY) d. Sergio Tapia (WAH)

Kade Hamilton (ORO) d. Alexander Cruz (WAH)

Kadie McMullen (EPH) d. Mileah Lambert (CASH)

Israel Hernandez (WAR) d. Jared Lee (ROY)

Kelvin Sager (EPH) d. Erick Myrick (ROY)

Rufino Gonzalez (WAR) d. Aram Garnick (ROY)

Genaro Reyna (CASH) d. Mark Martinez (ROY)

Royce Eilers (ROY) d. River Porter (EPH)

Nathan Mendez (WAR) d. Noel Alatorre (ROY)

Oscar Cervantes (ORO) d. Omar Pruneda (WAR)

Baz Lloyd Jr. (CASH) d. Dillon Raine (EPH)

Anthony Zebrano (WAH) d. Dawson Spies (CASH)

Benji Bustos (ROY) d. Ellis Anderson (EPH)

Kevin Dominguez (ROY) d. Lucas Tucker (EPH)

Marysol Flores (EPH) d. Alyssa Martinez (WAR)

William Flynn (EPH) d. Gio Castro (WAR)

Alona Castro (WAR) d. Cynthia Valdez (WAH)

Wyatt Sherrer (ORO) d. Jose Arriaga (WAR)

Yahir Morales (ROY) d. Trenton Mason (CASH)

Jada Hernandez (WAR) d. Mckell Johns (EPH)

Brian Hernandez (ROY) d. River Porter (EPH)

Haley Felker (WAH) d. Ralene Wheatly (CASH)

Clinton Garnick (ROY) d. Baz Lloyd Jr. (CASH)

Emma Villa (ROY) d. Rashann Olsen (EPH)

Omar Pruneda (WAR) d. Noel Alatorre (ROY)

Megan Tapia (WAH) d. Kadie McMullen (EPH)

Angelica Santiago (WAH) d. Mileah Lambert (CASH)

Benji Bustos (ROY) d. Bo Fox (ORO)

Marysol Flores (EPH) d. Ruby Trinidad (WAR)

Kevin Dominguez (ROY) d. Everardo Lopes (CASH)

Jared Lee (ROY) d. Kade Hamilton (ORO)

Oscar Cervantes (ORO) d. Clinton Garnick (ROY)

Bo Fox (ORO) d. Zeke Guerra (WAR)

Brenton Cole (WAR) d. Hugh Wheeler (CASH)

Alexia Hernandez (WAR) d. Jaden Hill (ROY)

Rolando Martinez (WAR) d. Justin Kaufman (ORO)