Tigers recognized for achievements in state competitions

EPHRATA — State competitors were recognized for their achievements during the Ephrata School District board meeting Monday evening. Several teams throughout the district qualified and competed in state competitions recently, and the start of the meeting was dedicated to honoring them. 

“Tonight was just a small indication of the great work that we do every single day, and we do it with great kids,” said Ephrata School District Superintendent Ken Murray. “These are the kids that just remind us why the hard days are worth it because when you’re around these types of kids, they make every hard day a little less hard.” 

The meeting began with Head Coach Heather Wood introducing the 21-member Tigers high school cheer team, who took third in the 1A/2A Co-ed Tumbling event and first in the 2A Game Day Co-ed competition. This feat was achieved in the team’s third year of competitive cheer. 

“I’m extremely happy, we started with some pretty low numbers at the beginning of the season, and to produce the numbers that we ended up producing. It was a huge accomplishment,” said Wood in a previous interview with the Columbia Basin Herald. 

The two Tigers high school wrestling teams were up next after both the boys and girls sent multiple wrestlers to state and brought home hardware.  

On the girls' side, Adylene Sachez made history by becoming the first two-time state champion for girls wrestling in Ephrata, Carolina Monico finished third in her class and Alexandra Estrada Rangel and Tessa Hausken both earned fourth in their respective weight classes. The girls’ coaches were nominated for staff or the year, with Head Coach Raul Tejeda claiming the title of co-coach of the year alongside Quincy’s Mark Kondo as the Tigers finished fourth at state and placed third in both districts and academics. 

For the boys, Head Coach Joe Knox shared that six wrestlers qualified for the state championships and introduced Colt Staples and Payton Wood, who both brought home medals. Staples earned fifth in the 165 lb. weight class, and Wood took sixth in the 215 lb. class.  

This season, Staples also claimed the title of District 5 champion on top of his 43 total wins on the year with 28 pins. Knox said Wood also claimed the district champion title in his weight class and ended the season with 44 wins and 28 pins. 

Ephrata also saw success from outside of athletics as Marissa Cox shared that the Ephrata High’s Health Occupations Students of America Club – or HOSA – sent 21 students to the state conference where Navi Kaur advanced to the second round in the Family Medicine Physician event. Kaur is the first Ephrata student to do so in three years and was invited to attend the Congress of Future Medical Leaders.  

“Navi wants to become a pediatrician, so we’re really excited to have her come up the ranks in HOSA and it sounds like she’s going to run for the chapter officer position,” said Cox. “I think it speaks volumes about her dedication and what we have to look forward in the future for her success.” 

EHS’s Future Farmers of America Coach Meagan Haight recognized the student success in horticulture competitions as the Floriculture team took sixth in state with Tessa Hausken placing eleventh individually. The Intro to Horticulture team, consisting of freshmen and sophomores, took first in state with Chloe Ballinger earning first place individually. 

“They spent a lot of time before school, after school, during lunches ... any time that they could practice, they did,” said Haight. 

Younger students in the district also found success this year as the Columbia Ridge LEGO Robotics team’s coaches Julie Kessel and Alicia Keegan celebrated the nine-member team’s achievements which include a Core Values Award at the state qualifier and an Engineering Excellence Award at state.  

Following state competition, the LEGO Robotics team advanced to the American Robotics Open Championship, which will take place in New Jersey this June.  

The final team recognized was the Grant Elementary Math team led by coaches Gabby Uhl and Edra Chamberlin. The Math team earned second place in the Pi Division after competing against the top regional schools and Noah Franks took ninth place overall and “Best in School” for the highest individual score. 

“I’m proud of our students, our staff, our community and the work that’s happening across our schools,” said Murray. 

    Tigers Boys Head Wrestling Coach Joe Knox stands with state placers Colt Staples and Payton Wood during the Monday Board Meeting to share the team’s state successes. Staples took fifth place in the 165 lb. weight class and Wood took sixth place in the 215 lb. weight class.
  

    Health Occupations Students of America coach Marissa Cox stands with Navi Kaur as Cox shares the team’s success in the state conference. Kaur advanced to the second round in the Family Medicine Physician event.
  

    Ephrata Future Farmers of America advisor Meagan Haight speaks on the successes of the team in state horticulture competitions with the contenders lined up in front of the group.
  

    During the ESD board meeting, Tigers Cheer Head Coach Heather Wood introduces the team as each of the members stands together.
  

    The Tigers girls wrestling state qualifiers applauded during the Ephrata School Board meeting Monday as Head Coach Raul Tejeda recognizes the achievements from Adylene Sanchez for becoming the high school’s first back-to-back state champion.
  

    The Grant Elementary Math team smiles together during the Monday ESD board meeting as they share their accomplishments with the district.