By: Jeff Stoker
Tacoma, WA – The Connell Eagles Boys and Girls wrestling teams competed in State tournaments on Friday, February 17 and Saturday, February 18 in Tacoma. Four boys and two girls represented North Franklin School District in the tournament: Eliuth Serra at 113 pounds, Jordan Mendez at 120 pounds, AJ Magana at 182 pounds, and Jackson Forsyth at 220 pounds for the boys and Leah Steele at 145 pounds and Mikaydi Hokanson at 190 pounds. The boys team finished in 13th place overall and the girls team finished in 62nd place overall.
Freshman Serra won his first match in the 113-lbs weight class bracket but lost in the quarterfinals. He finished the tournament 2-2 and did not place. Senior Mendez lost in the semifinals after a first round bye and a quarterfinals victory on Friday. He won his first match in the consolation bracket to enter the third fourth match. He lost his final match of his career to take home fourth place.
Magana, a senior, lost in the quarterfinals but won the rest of the weekend on his way to a third place finish. Magana was the highest finish by an individual wrestler at state this season for the Eagles. Junior Forsyth won his first match but lost the next two and finished his great season with disappointment, as he did not place at state. Seniors Isaias Lombera (152 pounds) and Nathan Chavez (195 pounds) made the trip to Tacoma as alternates but did not get the chance to wrestle.
Steele, a freshman, won her first match of the tournament, beating Maribel Mazariegos from Hoquium. However, she lost in the quarterfinals round to Isiah Alcala from Toppenish, who finished the tournament in second place. She lost her third match to Kiara Haertling from Othello. Hokanson, a junior, lost her first round match to Aurora Marcy from Shelton. Hokanson received a bye in the next round before losing to Myra Miller from Ritzville.
Boys Results (Place in parenthesis):
113 – Serra (DNP); 120 – Mendez (4th); 182 – Magana (3rd); 220 – Forsyth (DNP)
Girls Results (Place in parenthesis):
145 – Steele (DNP); 190 – Hokanson (DNP)
The state tournament closes out the season for both teams.
Comments