Royal girls aim for another high placement at state

ROYAL — After taking third at the 2023 2A/1A/B Girls Mat Classic, the Royal Knights are sending four girls wrestlers to this year’s edition of the state wrestling tournament; sophomore Sharon Arroyo (100), junior Lauren Jenks (135), senior Emma Villa (170) and sophomore Analy Castillo (235).

“Moving on to state this coming weekend, the girls are excited,” Royal girls wrestling coach Jesus Carlos Villa said. “The girls that are going are our state veterans, they’ve been there before and they know what to expect. They’re super excited.”

Three of the four — Arroyo, Jenks and Emma Villa — all wrestled at last year’s Mat Classic, while Castillo was an alternate. At regionals, Arroyo and Emma Villa both won championships in their respective classes.

“I think just the confidence and the work they were putting in the last couple of years,” Villa said of what allowed the regional champs to find success. “They’re ready, and they’re really excited.”

Emma Villa is a two-time state placer, having placed second in 2022 and third in 2023. With an unbeaten mark this season, Jesus Carlos Villa attributed the senior’s success to shedding off the pressure during matches.

“She’s learned that the last couple of years she’s put a lot of pressure on herself, and now she’s just out there having fun,” Villa said. “Helping her teammates make weight that way they don’t have to be worried about it, just being really relaxed and enjoying what, ultimately, is her last high school year.”

Arroyo took fifth place in the 100-pound class a year ago, giving the Knights another returning state placer; Jesus Carlos Villa said for the Knights to get to the podium, it comes down to confidence.

“Be real confident and relaxed,” Villa said. “Just go out there and do what they’ve been practicing for the last two-and-a-half months, and wrestle with that confidence.”

For the Royal boys, sophomore Dennis Hernandez returns to the state tournament a year after taking fifth in the 1A Boys 113-pound class.

“It’s the moment that we’ve been working for not only this year but past years as well,” Royal boys wrestling coach Darrin Miller said. “Dennis (Hernandez) is a returning state placer this year, so he’s hoping to climb that ladder and place as high as possible.”

Joining Hernandez is first-time state participant Shea Stevenson.

“Shea (Stevenson) is also excited because now he has the opportunity to come home with a medal as well,” Miller said. “I’m hoping for the best for both of those guys.”

Both wrestlers took second at the 1A Region 3 tournament in Connell last weekend. The top three wrestlers from regionals advanced to the state tournament.

“Going into the tournament really focused, and having a set goal that they did want to make it through and knowing that they had to place top three — the easiest way to do that is to win those first two matches and end up in the finals,” Miller said. “That secures your spot. They guys were really focused, they put in the work throughout the week and they went out there and performed.”

Miller added that Hernandez is seeking a higher placement in this week’s Mat Classic.

“Wrestling’s one of those sports that we’re always striving to do a little bit better because it’s you versus your opponent across from you,” Miller said. You can always continue to climb that ladder, and I think that he’s really driven to do the best that he can possibly do.”

While the Knights qualified two boys wrestlers for the Mat Classic, they have five alternates — three of which are underclassmen.

“We’ve got a good group of young guys on the team right now,” Miller said. “If you’re thinking about growing a team, and you have a large young group, you get to experience that with them multiple times. With this current group, we still have two to three years to continue to grow. We’re right on the edge of qualifying (more) to state, and with the realignment of the districts we’re going to be looking a lot better.”

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

    Royal sophomore Dennis Hernandez, left, took fifth in the 1A Boys 113-pound class at last year’s Mat Classic
  

    Royal junior Lauren Jenks works to escape at the 2023 Mat Classic.
  

    Royal sophomore Shea Stevenson, right, wrestles at a December tournament in Othello.