Rangers first-place champions

TACOMA — The Selkirk Rangers wrestling team wrapped up its winter sports season with not just one, but two state championships, making Selkirk School District history.

“Our guys wrestled their butts off and earned two medals for Selkirk which is the first time we’ve done that as a school,” coach J.L. Chantry says.

Senior and team captain Jameson Davis, 165-pounds, and junior Jaxson Chantry, 150, took first place in their weight categories at the WIAA Mat Classic at the Tacoma Dome Friday–Saturday, Feb. 20–21.

“Jameson didn’t let any wrestlers score any points at all, beating all opponents with ease,” Chantry says, adding that he has coached Davis in wrestling since Davis was 5 years old. “He is a coach’s dream come true. Work ethic, drive and character is top notch. You won’t find a better young man than him. He will be sorely missed.”

Jaxson Chantry pinned all his opponents on the way to the finals, eventually winning a tough match against senior Logan Stucker of Tonasket for first place.

“He showed true grit ... while coming off having pneumonia and food poisoning just before postseason,” Chantry said.

Junior Tristan Vanarsdall, 175, went 2-2 earning a couple wins before getting knocked out of competition.

“I’m super proud of these young men,” Chantry said.

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.