Tigers wrestlers work for a strong Mat Classic showing

EPHRATA — The Tigers are sending four juniors from the boys wrestling squad and one senior, six juniors and one freshman on the girls squad to the Tacoma Dome to compete this year.  

This year’s tournament roster includes Tiger girls wrestler Carolina Monico who earned fourth place at the Bring Home da Beef tournament in Quincy on Feb. 1.  

Coach Raul Tejeda said he’s excited for his wrestlers on the girls team to show what they have on the mats of the Tacoma Dome and has been focused on the mental side of the sport as Monico and the rest of the team step up.  

Senior Diana Alejandre Rodriguez is the only soon-to-graduate girl on the Tigers squad, and Tejeda praised her for her work ethic and effort this year. He said her skills have progressed a lot as she’s gotten focused and tried to enjoy her last high school wrestling season. He said he expects a solid performance from her at the Mat Classic. 

“She has gotten better through the years, and she’s kind of in the right mindset right now,” Tejeda said.  

Gabbie Grace Bafus is the only freshman going to the tournament this year. Tejeda said that, while Bafus has had some injuries slow her down a bit this year, he still expects her to perform well at the tourney. He figures her experience wrestling in middle school and her hard work will push her high school career forward, especially with her willingness to learn.  

“I know she has the right questions at practice, so (we’re hoping to) see her back and keep her healthy the next few years,” the girls coach said.  

Next year is already looking solid as six junior girls qualified for the Mat Classic, he said. As this year’s juniors move into the final year of their high school careers, they’re looking tough.  

“We will have some returning juniors, and it’s going to be a tough, tough squad next year, so I’m looking forward to that,” Tejeda said.  

Four Tigers are going to the Mat Classic from the boys team, with Senior CJ Schultz making an aggressive showing throughout the year, boys wrestling coach Joe Knox said.  

“He’s a tough, tough kid. He’s a rodeo kid in the summertime and he’s just tough as nails,” Knox said.  

The coach added that Schultz ihas done well this year by approaching the mat with aggression and dedication, despite not having wrestled last year. His work ethic is paying off and sets him up as a good example for the rest of the Tigers he wrestles with.  

“He just wrestled with a ferocity that most kids could really learn from, and he just – there's no quitting that kid,” Knox said.  

Three other boys wrestlers, all juniors, are going to the tournament. Knox said they’d done a lot of off-season work and showed dedication. He’s hoping for a strong performance, though some of that will depend on the draw once the tournament gets started.  

“I know one thing,” he said. “They’re going to compete like crazy over there, and I think every one of them has a chance to medal.”  

Tigers Roster

Boys 

senior CJ Schultz (138) 

junior Tavone Mantese (157) 

junior Carter Garcia (165) 

junior Peyton Woods (215) 

Alternates: senior Dominic Furman (132), junior Jonathan Ramirez (157) 

Girls 

senior Diana Alejandre Rodriguez (120) 

junior Kashlynn Cobb (125) 

junior Carolina Monico (235)  

junior Alexandra Estrada Rangel (130) 

junior Rayn Castillo (145) 

junior Adylene Sanchez (155) 

junior Tessa Hausken (170)  

sophomore Jasmine Hernandez (100) 

freshman Gabbie Grace Bafus (190) 

    Ephrata senior CJ Schultz, top, is one of four Tiger boys wrestlers traveling to Tacoma for the Mat Classic.
  

    Ephrata junior Kashlynn Cobb, in grey, earns the pin at the 2A Girls District 5 tournament in Toppenish. Cobb will be competing in the 125-pound class at the 2A Girls Mat Classic in Tacoma.
  

    Ephrata junior Carter Garcia, right, won a bout against Grandview's Gabriel Luna last November. Various successes since then have earned him a place at the Mat Classic in Tacoma.