Grizzly boys, girls, win top spots at Medical Lake Scramble

MEDICAL LAKE – Newport High wrestling got the season off on the right foot at the Medical Lake Scramble Saturday, Dec. 6, with Ares Swain winning first place in the 190-pound weight division.

Allysah Bays, 120, Payton Bennett, 110, Jasmine Billiter 170, and Clover Tannehill, 190, all placed first in their brackets. The Grizzly boys’ team ended the day with six placers and the girls’ team had 10.

“We brought our full team guys and girls to this tournament to start our season together,” head coach Daniel Swain says.

Other placers for the boys’ team include Robert Warren in second place at 190; Connor McQuinn, second, 285; Tyson Nunley placing third in the 144-pound bracket; Preston Wacenske, 150, third place; and Gavvin Carter, 157, third place.

Freshman Acein Johnston went 1-2 picking up a pin at 106. Senior JJ Findlay started his day with a pin at 126 but was unable to continue due to illness.

Returning state Placer Tyson Nunley had a setback to start his day, then rattled off 5 straight wins all by pin to claim 3rd place at 144. Returning state participant Preston Wacenske dominated his way to semifinals before suffering his first loss of the season. He continued to battle back for a 3rd place finish at 150. At 157 we had two Newport state participants battle it out for 3rd place with Gavin Carter claiming the victory. Carter went 4-1 on the day securing one pin. Nate Shaw was 4th at 157 going 4-2 on the day with 2 pins. Sophomore Harlen Anderson showed massive improvements from last season going 1-2 at 165 with 1 pin. Seniors Robert Warren and Ares Swain Claimed 1st and 2nd place at 190. Warren went 3-0 to the finals picking up 1 pin. Swain went 3-0 to reach the finals picking up 2 pins. The two senior training partners elected not to wrestle in the finals against each other. Returning state participant Connor Mc-Quinn had an outstanding performance securing 2nd place going 2-1 and securing one pin.

Second place wins for the girls included LeeAna Peacock,115, and Ellana Wiltse, 190. Savannah Garris, 135, and Addison Stigall, 140, both came in third and Holly Waterman, 135, and Aundrea Carter, 140, were in fourth.

“As a team I’m happy with how we wrestled to start our season, and I’m excited about how much improvement we can make as the season progresses,” Swain says.

Coming up next is the Interstate Classic at East Valley High School Saturday, Dec. 13. Followed by the Medical Lake Duals Tuesday, Dec. 16. Newport will host Davenport Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 5 p.m.

SOPHIA MATTICE-ALDOUS IS A MURROW NEWS FELLOW WORKING DIRECTLY WITH NEWSROOMS AT THE NEWPORT MINER AND RANGE MEDIA THROUGH A PROGRAM ADMINISTERED BY WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY. HER REPORTING IS AVAILABLE FOR USE VIA CREATIVE COMMONS WITH CREDIT.