Wrestlers finish third at Davenport

Raiders’ wrestlers started the season strong Saturday with a third-place finish at the Davenport Invitational.

The Raiders scored 130 points with two champions, two second-place finishers, a third-, and two fourth-place finishers. In first was 1A Freeman with 185 points, followed by North B League opponent Kittitas with 147.

“We had a good early-season tournament,” Raider Head Coach Steve Hood said.

Oscar Pakootas and Kodie Horn were the two champions for the Raiders. Pakootas won at his new weight class of 120 pounds, where he hopes that Saturday’s success will continue on through to the post season.

Horn wrestled up at 152 to fill a hole in the roster Saturday. Even so, he showed that his improved skills will garner him victories even if his opponent is 15 pounds heavier.

Freshman Jacob Smith and senior Sean Waters took second place on Saturday at their respective weight classes.

At 106, Smith had a strong showing in his first high school tournament and, like Pakootas, would like to continue right on to the post season with such success. Waters, wrestling up at 195, began his run to place again at state, hoping to build on this early success to be the dominant force at 195.

Sophomore and state tournament participant Coltin Williams also started his season strong with a third-place finish on Saturday at his new weight class of 132.

Freshman James Monaghan, facing fierce competition at 120, came home with a fourth-place finish and new motivation for this week.

Alexia Hanway represented the girls’ team at Davenport and finished fourth at 106. Hanway looks to improve this season to be one of the top girl wrestlers in the East Region, which is tough as the girls wrestle in a single classification.

The Raiders travel to Warden tomorrow for a dual match and Saturday to Connell for the early season Connell Tournament.

Action tomorrow starts a 7 p.m. at Warden High School and at 10 a.m. in Connell on Saturday.