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Othello’s Isaac Campos, left, and Daniel Gonzalez, right, wrestle against each other at Saturday’s 2A Region 4 tournament in Spokane on Saturday. Both Campos and Gonzalez qualified for the 2A Mat Classic in the 113-pound bracket.
IAN BIVONA/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
Othello junior Alexander Mendez, background, is one of 11 Huskie wrestlers to qualify for this weekend’s Mat Classic at tye Tacoma Dome.
Othello senior Forrest Roylance, foreground, is one of four Huskie returnering placers to the Mat Classic. Roylance placed seventh 132-pound bracket last year.
OTHELLO – After winning a regional championship as a team by over 100 points, the Othello Huskies boys wrestling team is sending 15 wrestlers to the 2023 Mat Classic.
Othello placed third as a team at the 2022 Mat Classic, with nine wrestlers placing in their respective brackets.
“We’re excited to take a big number and get everybody a lot of experience and opportunity to compete,” Othello Head Coach Rudy Ochoa II said. “I think it says a lot about these guys and how hard they’ve worked this year.”
Heading on to state are sophomore Christopher Garcia (106), junior Isaac Campos (113), freshman Daniel Gonzalez (113), freshman Mason Russell (120), junior Anthony Abundiz (126), junior Alexander Mendez (132), senior Forrest Roylance (138), freshman Camilo Mendez III (145), senior Brandon Garza (182), senior Terrill Freeman (195) and senior Josue Solorio (195).
Junior Adriel Flores (132), junior Jesus Bonilla (160), senior Jaden Perez (170) and sophomore Anthony Solorio (220) are all alternates.
“They’re definitely amped up and excited, just anxious more than anything to get started up,” Ochoa said.
Ochoa said “just about half” of the Huskie wrestlers have levels of experience at state, including Camps, Roylance, Freeman and Josue Solorio who all placed last year.
“Hopefully it helps,” Ochoa said. “Even the older guys, I’m sure nerves kick in, but having been through it – I think we have great leaders and we’ve had great leader all year, they can take some of the people that are here for the first time under their wing and help them get through this weekend.”
For the four Othello underclassmen wrestling at this year’s state tournament, Ochoa said he hopes they put on their best work.
“Just to enjoy it,” Ochoa said. “Hopefully they give a performance where they don’t have any regrets, give their bets effort and whatever happens, happens. Whether its their first time or their fourth time, being here at the state tournament at the Tacoma Dome, anything can happen. Go out there and give your best effort, and everything else will fall into place.”
The message from the coaching staff has been to rely on what got them here, while also taking in the atmosphere.
“Just go out there and have fun,” Ochoa said. “Trust their work, trust what they’ve neen doing all year and make the most of this opportunity.”
