Friday, March 29, 2024

Cascade wrestlers earn victory over Royal, sixth place at Granger tourney

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It was a busy week for the Cascade wrestling team with a double dual match with Royal and Tonasket on Dec. 5 and a tournament at Granger last Saturday. Cascade matched up against Royal in the first match on Dec. 5 at CHS. 

The Kodiaks picked up wins from Jace Sealy at 132 pounnds, D’Andre Vasquez at 145 pounds, Octavio Ramirez at 145, Daniel Claros at 160, Connor Head at 170, Spencer Drolc at 182 and Esai Claros at 195. 

Cascade won 39-18. Still, Cascade Head Coach Jesus Sandoval was not satisfied because the Knights were not a full strength. 

“They had some good wrestlers. To be honest, I can’t be satisfied. They were missing some good wrestlers because of football. It was nice for these guys to get some wins. That positive mentality of winning can give them some confidence,” Sandoval said. “We still have to work on a lot of things. As a coach, I always want to face the best so we can see where we’re at.”

In the next match, Cascade faced a Tonasket team that won 2B state last season. They were completely dominant, winning every match via pin but one. At 138, Adian Arceo won via pin. The Kodiaks received a forfeit at 106. 

The Tigers won 64-12. 

“Tonasket is state champs and they have a really good team. Even their JV wrestlers at tough,” Sandoval said. “I know in their wrestling room, everyone is competing for the varsity spots. Last weekend, a guy from Omak who was second in state was beaten by their JV wrestler, so Tonasket has a really good squad.”

Sandoval said the team just needs to keep improving. 

“We’re working to build the program. It’s going to take time. I think we are on the right path,” Sandoval said. “Wrestling is a tough sport and not for everyone. We just need to do a little better job recruiting kids so we can fill those weight classes, so we can prevent the forfeit points.”

Last Saturday, Cascade wrestled in the always tough Granger Ironman Tournament. Granger is the defending 1A champ. There were 15 teams there, with 16-man brackets. Cascade finished sixth as a team. 

At 106, Juan Martinez took second, losing 4-3 to Jaiden Leon from East Valley in the finals. At 120, Axel Martinez finished fifth, defeating Husted Dawson from Zillah 3-2 in the 5th-6th match. 

At 126, sophomore Jace Sealy was fourth. He lost 11-10 to Kade Marrick of Prosser for 3rd and 4th match. At 160, Danial Claros was third. He defeated Antonio Garcia of Highland in the 3rd-4th match. At 170, Connor Head was 5th. He beat Kyle Yorgesen of Highland in the 5th-6th match. 

Cascade hosted a double-dual with Chelan and Okanogan on Dec. 12. Results were unavailable before press time. The Kodiaks wrestle a double-dual at Cashmere on Friday. On Saturday, they wrestle at the Cashmere Invite. 

Ian Dunn can be reached at 548-5286 or editor@leavenworthecho.com.

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