Othello boys, girls wrestling teams seek high placements at Mat Classic

OTHELLO — Coming off of back-to-back years as the third-place team in the 2A Mat Classic, the Huskies are seeking yet another high finish at this year’s edition of the state tournament.

Othello qualified 10 wrestlers for the Mat Classic at last week’s regional tournament in Ellensburg, half of which reached the regional finals.

“I’m really excited for them,” Othello boys wrestling coach Rudy Ochoa II said. “They’ve put in a lot of work, and it’s always good to see them rewarded and earning that chance at the final tournament. I’m really happy for them.”

The Huskies won the title at last week’s 2A Region 4 tournament, finishing nearly 80 points ahead of second-place Ellensburg. Heading to Tacoma are senior Isaac Campos (113), sophomore Daniel Gonzalez (113), sophomore Mason Russell (126), senior Anthony Abundiz (132), junior Jeremiah Flores (150), sophomore Camilo Mendez III (157), junior Parker Freeman (157), sophomore Miguel Zuniga (190), junior Anthony Solorio (215) and junior Mason Perez (285).

“It took a team effort,” Ochoa said. “The boys came out really excited; they were really amped up for the tournament. It was just staying the course; trying to not make it more than it needed to be, and going out there and doing what they’ve done all year.”

Campos, Russell, Abundiz, Solorio and Perez all reached the finals of their respective weight classes, with Campos, Abundiz and Perez all winning regional championships.

“They stayed within what they do, and they didn’t try to do too much,” Ochoa said. “All three of them wrestled really good matches, so I think it was just their mindset of sticking to what they do and giving a performance that they’re not going to regret.”

Of this year’s state qualifiers, six return with prior state experience — including placements by Campos, Russell, Abundiz and Perez.

“I think their goal is always to get as high up on the podium as possible,” Ochoa said. “When you don’t end up on top it gives you something to shoot for, but I think the end goal is just trying to give their best performance that weekend and not get too caught up on where you’re standing on the podium.”

To earn another high placing as a team, Ochoa said it’ll take for the Huskies to remain steady once they hit the mat Friday morning.

“Just do what we’ve been doing, and don’t try and do too much,” Ochoa said. “Just go out there and wrestle how they have been, and the results will hopefully take care of themselves.”

The Othello girls wrestling team took second at last week’s 2A/1A/B Region 3 tournament in Toppenish, qualifying nine for the Mat Classic and seeing five wrestlers reach the regional finals.

Junior Diamond Van Cleve (135), sophomore Kiara Haertling (145) and senior Elia Velazquez (190) all won titles in their weight classes on Saturday.

“All the girls have been working pretty hard, and they’ve had pretty tough competition throughout the whole season; going to the right tournaments, and just getting ready for this next weekend,” head coach Rafael Ruiz said. 

Joining the three regional champions at the Mat Classic will be junior Bella Garza (105), freshman Grayce Mendez (110), junior Grace Rocha (115), sophomore Briseida Galvez (120), sophomore Serenity Ayala (125) and sophomore Alejandria Espindola (235). 

The Huskies had six wrestlers qualify for last year’s state tournament, including returners Haertling, Velazquez and Espindola.

“Last year we had a lot of girls that were one match away from going, and that (feeling of) ending their season early,” Ruiz said. “They came back and they had their goals set. Those were the team goals, and they really pulled through.”

Velazquez, Othello’s lone state placer, took fourth in the 190-pound class a year ago.

“Last year our goal was to get the girls to state and have that experience, and this year our goal is to make sure we leave with some placers, and hopefully some state titles in there too,” Ruiz said. “Everyone’s pretty locked in on their goals, and they’ve been working really hard on and off the mat. I think they’re all peaking at the right time and it’s going to be really exciting.”

Ian Bivona may be reached at ibivona@columbiabasinherald.com.

    Othello senior Elia Velazquez, top, is Othello’s lone returning state placer from the 2A/1A/B Girls Mat Classic.
  

    Othello junior Mason Perez, right, is one of 10 Othello boys wrestlers who qualified for the 2A Mat Classic.
  

    Othello junior Diamond Van Cleve, left, won a regional title and was one of nine Huskies to reach the 2A/1A/B Mat Classic.