Submitted by the Orcas Island Wrestling Club.
The Orcas Island Wrestling Club started the 2024 tournament season with two back-to-back weekend tournaments.
The young wrestlers have been working hard to get ready for the opportunity to test their skills with other youth wrestlers. The club attended the Western Washington Kids Wrestling League Skagit Valley Novice tournament on Nov. 24, and on Nov. 30tthey went to the WSWA Sedro Woolley Slam at Sedro Wooley High School for an open tournament.
Six wrestlers competed in the WWKWL Skagit Valley Novice tournament in Burlington.
Brooks Hawley competed in the 6U 39.8-40 lb class and took second place. He lost his first-ever match by a 24-11 major decision and won his second match with a 17-second pin.
Caden King took first place in the 8U 54.4-55.9 lb class. He won his first match with a 12-4 major decision, won his second match with a 13-1 major decision and won his third match 10-4.
David Nunez took second place in the 8U 72-76.8 lb class. He pinned his first opponent in 34 seconds, lost his second match with a 17-1 technical fall and won his third match with a pin.
Cru Hawley placed fourth in the 10U 65.4-68.7 lb class. He lost his first-ever match with a 12-10 decision, lost his second match to a 20-5 technical fall but won his third match with a 17-1 technical fall.
Greyson Howard took third place in the 12U 67-70.9 lb class. He lost his first match by a 10-9 decision, lost his second match by getting pinned in 38 seconds but won his third match with an 8-3 decision.
Alexis Armas took fourth place in the 80.5-81.5 lb class. She lost her first match to a 19-15 decision and lost her second and third matches by getting pinned.
Four wrestlers from Orcas competed in the WSWA Sedro Woolley Slam .
Elliot Wooding took fourth place in the 8U 46-50 lb class. He lost his first match by a 10-7 decision, lost his second match by a 16-5 major decision, won his third match with a 39-second pin and lost his fourth match by a 12-7 decision.
David Nunez took second place in the 8U 85 lb class. He lost his first match by a 14-10 decision and lost his second match by a 16-6 major decision.
Weston Wooding took third place in the 10U 84 lb class. He lost his first match by getting pinned in the first round, had a bye for his second match, won his third match with a 43-second pin, won his fourth match with a 49-second pin and lost his fifth match by a 15-2 major decision.
Aria Griffin wrestled in two brackets. She took second place in a girls third-fifth 65.8-66 lb class. She won her first match by a pin, won her second match with a 6-3 decision and lost her third match by a 9-2 decision. In the 12U 67 lb class, Aria had a bye for her first match, lost the second match by getting pinned in the second round and lost her third match by getting pinned in the third round.
Overall, it was a good couple of weekends for the Orcas Island Wrestling Club. Tournament competition is just one of the rewards for the efforts put into the days and hours of practice and the commitment to learn the sport of wrestling. The parents and coaches are proud to see these youth get out there and do their best. Keep an eye out for these young wrestlers and wish them luck as they travel to more upcoming tournaments.
