Sanchez makes history as Tigers finish fourth in Mat Classic

TACOMA — The Ephrata Tigers girls' squad had a successful run in the Mat Classic, finishing fourth as a team, four wrestlers reached the podium and Adylene Sanchez made history, becoming the first two-time state champion for girls wrestling at Ephrata.   

“It feels amazing,” Sanchez said. “I prayed throughout the whole tournament, praying to God that he'd give me the strength, not only to win, but to have the strength to pull through all my matches. I think that match just showed I can get stuck and get back with the help of him. I'd like to thank my coaches, my teammates over there crying.”   

Reaching the podium alongside Sanchez were Alexandra Estrada Rangel and Tessa Hausken, each fourth in their respective weight classes, and Carolina Monico, who finished third in her class. Reflecting on the season as a whole, Head Coach Raul Tejeda said this will hold a special place in the history books for him.   

“I think this is one of the best teams we've had in years," he said. “This is a tough team. The girls have always wanted to get better as the season progressed, and we're taking four places, so that's pretty good.”   

In the 155-lb state finals, Sanchez had to go through Hailee Orgill from Deer Park. She started strong with a takedown in the first period, taking a 3-0 lead over Orgill. From there, it was a back-and-forth match that saw them resist takedowns and more scoring for the remainder of that period.   

In the third period, Orgill scored a near fall to take a 3-4 lead, putting the pressure back on Sanchez. After escaping from Orgill’s grasp, Sanchez overtook her on the mat and found an opening to score a pinfall, officially claiming the state title.   

“I wanted the pin from the beginning. I wanted to finish the matches as fast as I could. Obviously, I knew she was tough, but when I was warming up, all I could think about was getting that pin, and I'm glad I got it the same way I did the second time I wrestled her. She's a tough girl,” Sanchez said. 

Coming into her match, she was aiming to make history, she said. However, if she had fallen short, it was just important to her to give it her all.   

“Honestly, that's one of the best things. I was hoping I could make history. That was one of the main things I wanted. But if it wasn't going to happen, I was okay with just performing as best as I can,” she said.   

Tejeda was complimentary of the resilience Sanchez has shown throughout this season. He noted there were a few times this season where she suffered a loss, including against Orgill, that she did not let derail her.   

“We learned from our mistakes, and we were from those losses, and we just kept getting better,” Tejeda said. “The good thing is that she didn't let those losses or anything like that get to her head, and she just kept getting better and she’s a pretty resilient girl.”  

As she closes her time as a Tiger and a member of this team, Sanchez said it has meant everything to her to represent Ephrata these last few seasons.   

“It's changed me a lot as a person. I don't think I would ever regret the time I spent here; it's taught me a lot. It's grown me as a person. I have so many new friends, I spent so much time in that mat room. It became a happy place, and I wouldn't trade up for anything,” Sanchez said. 

    Ephrata Head Coach Raul Tejeda, right, jumps out of his seat during Adylene Sanchez’s state finals match.
  

    The Tigers’ Adylene Sanchez, in orange, pins her opponent to the mat to win her state finals match.
  

    Alexandra Estrada Rangel, right, hooks the leg of her opponent during their match at the Mat Classic. Rangel placed fourth in her weight class by the end of the weekend.