Othello's Solorio crowned state champ in 215 bracket

OTHELLO – Anthony Solorio, a senior at Othello High School, achieved a lifelong dream over the weekend, capturing the state championship title in the boys 2A wrestling competition at 215 pounds with a record of 36-13.  

For Solorio, the journey to the podium was a culmination of years of dedication, practice and unwavering support from his family and coaches. After finishing as an alternate in his first state appearance and falling short in the third round of his second try, his path to success wasn’t without its hurdles.  

“I’ve been wrestling since I was five,” Solorio said. “I always said I was going to be a state champ, so it was kind of surreal when it finally happened.” 

Solorio’s road to the championship was paved with rigorous training and the valuable guidance of his head coach, Rudy Ochoa Jr. Throughout the season, Ochoa instilled a mindset of success within Solorio, continually reminding him of his potential.  

“He always pushed me to work harder and to believe that I could be a state champion,” Solorio said. 

Highlighting the strength of Othello’s wrestling program, Ochoa shared insight into Solorio’s growth as an athlete over the years.  

“Anthony has been wrestling with us for four years, and he’s been a consistent performer,” Ochoa said. “It’s been inspiring to see him transform and finally achieve his goal. He’s a great kid, and I couldn’t be prouder.” 

This past weekend, Solorio’s determination shone brightly as he faced formidable opponents on the road to the title. He began the tournament with a pin over Emanuel Lopez of Prosser in two minutes. He followed it up with another fall against North Kitsap’s Theodore Stearns. Solorio’s prowess continued in the quarterfinals, where he secured a tech fall victory against Samuel Sears from Pullman, ultimately leading to his hard-fought win by decision against Jimmy Conklin in the championship match. 

These decisive victories highlighted not only Solorio's wrestling skills but also his adaptability in overcoming size disadvantages. Ochoa emphasized this aspect of Solorio’s season, detailing how the wrestler faced challenges with discipline and perseverance.  

“Anthony was actually light for 215 pounds,” Ochoa said. “He had to be crafty and trust his technique against larger opponents. It was a testament to his hard work and determination.” 

The championship bout, characterized by intense back-and-forth action, concluded with a nail-biting score of 9-8, solidifying Solorio's place at the top of the podium.  

“It felt like I needed to win every match. I just had this feeling that it had to be done,” Solorio said. 

Outside of the mats, Solorio credits much of his success to his family, particularly his brothers, who have been instrumental in his training and development as a wrestler.  

“They always pushed me to be better, showing me different techniques and offering advice,” he said. “Practicing with them helped me a lot.” 

The teamwork spirit extends beyond Solorio’s immediate family; it has also characterized the entire Othello wrestling program. Coach Ochoa expressed pride in the team’s performance at the state level, highlighting that Solorio’s victory is a reflection of their collective efforts. The Othello boys wrestling team finished in third, earning not only Solorio's first-place win but also a second-place finish and multiple other podium placings. 

From the Othello boys' team 285-pound Mason Perez placed second, 150-pound Camilo Mendez III placed second, 120-pound Daniel Gonzalez placed third, 132-pound Mason Russell placed third and 138-pound Jeremiah Flores placed fourth.  

“I’m really proud of our team’s performance,” Ochoa said. “Our goal was to get on the podium as a team, and we finished in third place. Every match was an opportunity to learn and improve, and the camaraderie within the team made this season memorable.” 

As Solorio’s high school wrestling career comes to a close, he leaves behind a legacy of hard work and positive spirit, according to Ochoa.  

“I’ve had a great experience wrestling at Othello,” he said. “The memories and friendships I’ve made will last a lifetime, and I’m excited for what’s next.” 

    Anthony Solorio of Othello brought home a championship title Saturday at the Mat Classic in Tacoma. His coach praised his dedication and commitment to hard work as he prepared for the tournament.
  

    Senior Anthony Solorio receives congratulations from his teammates after winning his state championship bout.