Quincy girls look to get more wrestlers to state, despite format changes

QUINCY — Changes are coming to Washington girls high school wrestling in 2022-23, but Quincy coach Devan Silva said he’s optimistic about his team’s chances no matter how the changes shake out.

“Really high expectations for the team,” Silva said. “And I think our (returning wrestlers) have really expectations for themselves.”

Girls wrestling has been split into two classifications for 2022-23; 4A and 3A schools will be in one classification, with 2A, 1A, 2B and 1B schools in the other. Previously wrestlers in all classifications competed in one state tournament.

Quincy tied for 13th at the 2022 Mat Classic, with Shannon Workinger winning a state title and Gloria Ramirez finishing sixth.

“That’s the best we’ve ever done as a team,” Silva said.

Both Workinger and Ramirez were seniors, but Silva said the Jacks have returning wrestlers who he thinks will be competitive in the Caribou Trail League and beyond.

“We have a few athletes returning this year who were a match away from placing at state,” he said.

The team has a goal in mind, but Silva said there’s some uncertainty, with the new state tournament format.

“If we took two to state last year and placed them both, if we could take three or four this year, I would be elated,” Silva said. “But a lot of it is going to be waiting and seeing what comes with that new classification. If we were a top five team (in) 2A and below last year at a true state (tournament), I would expect us to take more (wrestlers).”

Silva said he challenges his wrestlers as a way to help them improve their skills and eventually, their results.

“My philosophy is, unless it’s really what’s right for an athlete, for their development, you don’t find the easiest weight class for them,” he said.

He cited junior Michele Acevdeo as an example. She competed in the 130 pound class, which was filled with good wrestlers at the Region 4 tournament.

“It was an absolute bloodbath at regionals – you had kids that were ranked top three in state barely scraping their way out of it. So here you have a kid who’s in a super-tough weight class one match away from what was at the time a true state tournament,” he said. “That’s a huge success, and she knows it, too.

“This year she’s going to be tougher,” he said.

Junior Ashley Rosas was one match away from qualifying for state, he said. Junior Allison Guerrero wrestled against competitors that consistently were bigger than her.

“She’s gone out there and just stuck it to some tough competition,” Silva said. “She’s continued growing, athletically and physically. I expect some awesome things from her this year.”

Alondra Cordova competed at the varsity level as a freshman.

‘“She had a rockstar season last year for a freshman,” he said.

Crystal Vargas also showed promise as a freshman, and will be back for a sophomore season.

“And then what that freshman class brings - that’ll be pretty important to our program,” Silva said.

The Jacks open the season Dec. 3 at the Bob Mars Invitational tournament in Kennewick.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at cschweizer@columbiabasinherald.com.

Quincy Girls Wrestling Schedule

Dec. 2 – @ AC Davis High School with 12 others

Dec. 6 – @ Toppenish High School with 1 other

Dec. 8 – @ Cashmere High School with 4 others

Dec. 13 – vs Cashmere High School with 10 others

Dec. 20 – @ Cascade High School (Leavenworth) with 10 others

Jan. 12 – @ Ephrata High School with 3 others

Jan. 17 – @ Warden High School

Jan. 20 – @ AC Davis High School with 18 others

Jan. 21 – @ AC Davis High School with 18 others

Jan. 24 – @ Connell High School with 7 others

Jan. 28 – vs Cascade High School (Leavenworth) with 23 others