ACH’s Tristen, Everett Wood on to state

COULEE CITY – After finishing second in their respective brackets, Almira/Coulee-Hartline senior Tristen Wood and junior Everett Wood are on to represent the Warriors at the 2023 Mat Classic in Tacoma.

The duo, who are brothers, are joined by their fellow brother in eighth-grader Porter Wood and ACH junior John Pierce as state alternates in the 126- and 170-pound brackets, respectively.

“Both these kids have been wrestling since they were little … when you do that for as many years as they have, the state tournament is always the goal,” ACH Head Coach Brandon Walsh said. “This is a huge accomplishment in terms of a lifetime of preparation in wrestling.”

Tristen Wood finished second in the 145-pound bracket at last weekend’s 1B/2B Region 3 tournament in Reardan, and Everett wood finished second in the 152-pound bracket at the same tournament.

“(Tristen Wood) wrestled tough in his first two matches, he pinned both of (his opponents), and then ran up against a tough kid in the finals and ended up getting pinned – but he wrestled well,” Walsh said. “Everett (Wood) had a great semi-final match – avenged an earlier-season loss against (Brody) Schillinger from Davenport – and then lost a heartbreaker in overtime in the finals. It was an exciting match. Overall, they both wrestled really well.

The senior previously qualified for the Mat Classic during the 2018-2019 season as an eighth grader, going 2-2 in his first state appearance.

“He’s super excited,” Walsh said. “He’s had a great season. We have high hopes for this weekend to be a great way to finish it off.”

Walsh said the second-place finishes at regionals can be used as added motivation for the state tournament.

“When you get to the state tournament the goal is to do well, but losing in the championship match at regionals sorts of lights a fire as well,” Walsh said.

Eight of the 10 ACH wrestlers will also be traveling to the Tacoma Dome to be recognized as the 1B Academic State Champions.

“As a coach, it’s cool that you have not only good athletes but also good students,” Walsh said. “I think that’s a neat accomplishment that these kids can hang their hat on and be proud of. It’s a neat way for them to get over to the dome, even if they didn’t qualify, they get to experience it and be a part of it in some way.”

ACH state wrestlers

Eighth-grader Porter Wood (126)*

Senior Tristen Wood (145)

Junior Everett Wood (152)

Junior John Pierce (182)*