Raider wrestlers state bound after regional competitions

Raider wrestlers competed at regional tournaments in Ephrata and Warden Feb. 12 with seven qualifying for the state tournament in Tacoma from Feb. 17-19.

In Warden, seven Raider boys placed to qualify for state, four of them defeating state-ranked wrestlers to get there.

“The kids wrestled really tough and fought for every match,” Head Coach Billy Monroe said.

Rodger Cate placed first in the 106-pound weight class, pinning Noah Berger from Granger one minute, 36 seconds into the match; Colton Jackson placed second at 120, losing the first-place spot by decision, 13-7, to Aaron Polito of Tonasket. Francis Louie placed second at 132, losing the first place spot to Waylon Thomas of Tonasket by pin 1:37 into the match; Teyton Flores placed second at 138, losing the first place spot to Waylon Wilson of Tonasket by pin 1:01 into the match; Christian Carsen placed fourth at 145, losing the third place spot to Cody White from Liberty Bell by pin 2:04 into the match; Landon Krohn placed second at 170, losing the first place spot to Conan Northwind from Granger by pin, 2:54 into the match; and Joey Tynan placed fourth at 285, losing the third place spot to Joseph Cates from Okanogan in a 4-1 decision. 

“It was a really good day for Lake Roosevelt Wrestling,” Monroe said. “We ended up third as a team behind favorites Tonasket and Granger. We ended up putting five wrestlers in the finals, and came out with one regional champion in Rodger Cate at 106 pounds. … Teyten Flores, Francis Louie, Christian Carsen, and Joey Tynan all defeated state-ranked wrestlers to qualify for state.”

Also wrestling at regionals, but falling just short of qualifying for state, were Elijah Marchand, Kaiden Palmer, Sergio Galicia, and Kaylee Landeros and Arianna Waters, who competed at a women’s tournament in Ephrata on the same day.

“We have a really good shot at being a top-four team in state this year and coming home with a state trophy if we get similar results this weekend at the Tacoma Dome,” Monroe said. “I am really proud of my team this year and thankful for all the help from assistant coaches Justus Caudell, Steve Hood and Casey Brewster.”

The state tournament is being held at the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma from Feb. 17 to 19. 

The wrestlers will receive a send-off at 10:10 a.m. Feb. 17, with fire trucks and more helping get them pumped as they leave town for Tacoma.