Orcas Wrestling: Strength in numbers

December 13, 2023 1:30 am
Contributed photo. Back row, left to right: Coaches Rob Harvey, Laurie Glass, Rob Kirby, Jason Dean Middle Row Left to Right: Coach Monty Coffey, Landyn Easterday, Weston Wooding, Paxton Irwin, John Neighbors, Douglas Kirby, Michael Neighbors, Anston Feagins Back Row Left to Right: Elliot Wooding, Greyson Howard, Mckinley Meester, Caden Mcguire-King, Aria Griffin, Otis Sebring.
Contributed photo. Back row, left to right: Coaches Rob Harvey, Laurie Glass, Rob Kirby, Jason Dean Middle Row Left to Right: Coach Monty Coffey, Landyn Easterday, Weston Wooding, Paxton Irwin, John Neighbors, Douglas Kirby, Michael Neighbors, Anston Feagins Back Row Left to Right: Elliot Wooding, Greyson Howard, Mckinley Meester, Caden Mcguire-King, Aria Griffin, Otis Sebring.

The Orcas Island Wrestling Club attended its second novice tournament of the season at Mount Vernon High School on Sunday, Dec.3. The all-day event hosted over 400 athletes from 26 Western Washington teams. Thirteen of those brave and determined wrestlers are members of the OIWC team. By the end of the tournament, the OIWC had earned four first-place medals, four second place metals, three third-place medals, and two fourth-place medals.

In the 6U 41-pound class Elliot Wooding took first place in his bracket. He won his first match 11-5, pinned his second opponent, then won his third match with a 9-4 score.

Caden Mcguire-King placed third in the 8U, 48-49 lb class by pinning his first opponent then losing his second and third matches both by pins.

Aria Griffin took second place in the 10U, 61-62 lb class. She pinned her first opponent with only three seconds left in the match, then she was pinned for the loss of her second match, and finally won her third match with a 12-2 major decision.

Otis Sebring placed fourth in the 10U, 61-62 lb class, losing his first match by a pin, his second by a 20-9 major decision, and his third match by a pin.

Weston Wooding competed in the 10U, 76-77 lb class and placed third. He won his first match with a 14-0 major decision, then lost his second and third matches both by pins.

Anston Feagins took second place in the 10U, 87-91 lb class, losing his first match by a pin, then pinning his second opponent for the win. In the 10U, 97-100 lb class, Landyn Easterday placed fourth. He lost his first match 12-6, then was pinned in his second and third matches.

Michael Neighbors took first place in the 10U, 101-111 lb class, pinning his first opponent, winning his second match 16-10, and pinning his third opponent in just 17 seconds. In the 12U, 64-70 lb class, Greyson Howard took second place after getting pinned in his first match, beating his second opponent with a 16-1 technical fall, and winning his third with a pin.

Mckinley Meester placed third in the 12U, 71-73 lb class, beating his first opponent with a pin, then losing his second and third match by getting pinned. In the 12U, 76-78 lb class, Paxton Irwin took second place. He got pinned in his first match, then won his second match with a pin and his third match with an 8-0 major decision.

Douglas Kirby placed first in the 12U, 83-85 lb class, pinning all three of his opponents in the first round of his matches. In the 12U, 101-106 lb class, John Neighbors took first place, winning his first match 7-6, and then by pinning his second and third opponents.

The Orcas Island Wrestling Club coaches and parents appreciate the efforts and dedication of the young athletes that show up to make these kinds of events with their positive results possible. With the holiday season approaching, the novice tournament schedule thins out a little bit. The team will still be practicing twice a week through the upcoming holidays and a few athletes will be competing in open tournaments to test their skills against other wrestlers with possibly more than two or three years of experience. The club will be preparing for more novice tournaments in January. The OIWC hopes to attend the WWKWL Stanwood tournament on Jan. 14, the OHWC Novice tournament in Oak Harbor on Jan. 21, and the Rex Febus WWKWL Classic in Mount Vernon on Jan. 28. The season finale will be the WWKWL Novice Championships in Stanwood on Feb. 4.

The OIWC will also be out fundraising to recoup funds spent on necessary equipment, travel expenses, and the building rental that allows and makes possible for these young athletes the opportunity to experience the sport of wrestling and the many benefits that it can provide the growing youth of our community. Be on the lookout for the OIWC’s Super Duper Raffle coming soon with a chance to win many generously donated prizes. For more information about the clubs upcoming activities, including practice schedules, new athletes interested in joining, and the generous donations and fundraising efforts that allow the club to exist and grow call Coach Jason Dean at 360-388-8624 or email the club at orcaswrestling@gmail.com.