Cascade mat squad claims first District 6 championship

For the first time in program history, the Cascade High School wrestling team can call themselves District 6 Champions.

The Kodiaks claimed their first district title in school history during the District 6 tournament on Feb. 2 in Cashmere. This accomplishment comes weeks after Cascade won the Caribou Trail League championship after going 6-0 in conference duals.

The top three finishers in each weight division qualified for regionals in Omak on Feb. 9. Cascade will have 14 Kodiak wrestlers in the tournament.

“It’s years of hard work paying off,” Head Coach Jesus Sandoval said of winning the district title and qualifying a plethora of athletes for the regional tournament. “This is great motivation for me as a coach. We’re seeing the program grow, and Cascade is now on the map.”

Juan Martinez was the first Cascade wrestler to earn a district medal after he won the 106-pound bracket. After his victory over Chelan’s Logan Oules, he earned a 9-4 decision over Omak’s Kayden Cate in the finals.

Axel Martinez took the 113-pound bracket after he pinned Cashmere’s Myles Chapman in the first period of their match.

Manuel Camarena and Jesus Sandoval took the top two spots in the 120-pound division. Camarena pinned Okanogan’s Richie Myers, then earned a close 7-6 decision over Jesus Sandoval in the championship match.

Daniel Sandoval took the 126-pound crown after he earned a 3-1 decision over his Okanogan opponent, followed by an 8-4 decision over Cashmere’s Aaron Guerrero.

Jace Seely pinned Chelan’s JJ Mercado in the second period to win the 132-pound bracket.

Adian Arceo won the 138-pound bracket. He pinned Chelan’s Colton Funk in the semifinals, then earned a close 8-7 decision over the Goats’ Carlos Venegas.

Hunter Reinhart clinched the final first-place finish for Cascade after he pinned Omak’s Leighton Jensen to win the 285-pound bracket.

D'Andre Vasquez finished second in the 145-pound division. Vasquez earned a 9-4 decision over Cashmere’s Kaden Koegh to reach the finals against the Bulldogs’ Whelan Gillikin where he lost, 13-11, in overtime.

Cole Warman also took second at 160 pounds. After he pinned teammate Efren Guerrero to reach the finals, he lost to Chelan’s Erik Alcala.

Eric Rosario was the runner up in the 182 division. His 5-4 decision over Okanogan’s Matt Besieger led him to the finals where he lost to Okanogan’s Julian Cates.

Austin Curry, Efren Guerrero and Jose Valdez earned their spots at regionals after they finished third in their respective weight brackets.

Coach Sandoval said he had shifted some wrestlers to different weights for districts, including  moving Jesus Sandoval and Camarena to 120.

Curry was another wrestler who moved to 138 pounds. Coach Sandoval added that Curry was sick leading up to the tournament.

With the CTL and District 6 championships already in the bag, Coach Sandoval is preparing for regionals.

“We’re in a really tough region,” he added. “We’re hoping we can move some guys to the state tournament. All of this week, we’re going to be working and focusing on our goals (for regionals).”