by Orcas Island Wrestling
Eight young wrestlers from the Orcas Island Wrestling Club traveled to Mount Vernon High School to compete in the Rex Febus WWKWL Classic novice tournament on January 28, 2024. Wrestlers from 25 different club teams attended the tournament. With a combined total of 41 matches, the Orcas Wrestlers won 19 and lost 22. 15 of those 19 wins were by pin. For some of the Orcas wrestlers, this was the first wrestling tournament they have ever competed in.
Elliot Wooding competed in the 6U, 40-41 lb class and took first place by pinning all three of his opponents.
Caden McGuire-King wrestled in the 6U 49-51 lb class. He pinned his first opponent, won his second match with a (14-0) major decision, and won his third match with a (14-3) major decision.
Winston Landman, attending his first ever wrestling tournament, competed in the 6U, 55-56 lb class. He placed third and lost both of his matches by a getting pinned.
Anthony “Louie” Averna placed second in the 8U, 62-64 lb class. He lost his first match by a (12-10) decision, pinned his second opponent for a win, and pinned his third opponent in less than 30 seconds.
David Nunez placed fourth in the 8U, 65-67 lb class. He lost his first match with a (17-12) decision, lost his second match with a (9-4) decision, and lost his third match by a (13-3) major decision.
Tazman Pechacek took second place in the 10U, 59-59 lb class. He lost his first match with a (5-2) decision, lost his second match with a (10-3) decision, then won his third match by pinning his opponent.
Norah Duthy placed fourth in her first ever wrestling tournament while competing in the 10U, 64-64 lb class. She had only two weeks of attending practices prior to the tournament and she got pinned in all three of her matches.
Weston Wooding took second place in the 10U, 76-77 lb class. He lost due to a pin in his first match, then won his second and third match by pinning his opponents.
Michael Neighbors placed second in the 10U, 108-112 lb class. He won his first match with a (9-2) decision, won his second match with an (8-2) decision, and lost his third match by an (11-1) major decision.
Greyson Howard secured second place in the 12U, 60-63 lb class. He lost his first match by getting pinned, then won his second and third matches by pinning his opponents.
Giovanni Averna placed third in the 12U, 62-66 lb class. He lost his first two matches by getting pinned but won his third match by pinning his opponent.
Ty Nunez secured third place in the 12U, 97-98 lb class. He lost his first match due to a pin, lost his second match by getting pinned, and won his third match by pinning his opponent.
Mario Nunez secured first place in the 12U, 145-169 lb bracket. There were only two wrestlers in this bracket and they wrestled three times. Mario pinned his opponent in the first match, lost by getting pinned in his second match, and then pinned his opponent in their third match.
With another successful Novice tournament behind them, the Orcas Island Wrestling Club will be traveling to the WWKWL Novice Championships tournament hosted at Sedro Wooley High School on February 4th 2024. As the end of the season creeps closer, the competition only gets fiercer and the hard work many of the young athletes have been putting in since the season started last October is showing. Wish the wrestlers good luck as they continue their journey.
