Washougal siblings pave the road to the Tacoma Dome

Washougal siblings Stephen and Haven Camden, and Wyatt and Jessica Eakins, are four of the 13 Panthers who are going to the Tacoma Dome this weekend to wrestle for a state medal.

“Once you get to the dome, it’s magic. Anything can happen, but you got to get there first,” said head girls coach Heather Carver. “These kids are on their way. They paved the road. Now it’s all about charging down it.”

Stephen and Haven Camden both finished in third place at their respective tournaments. Stephen beat Ridgefield’s Clayton Farr in the consolation finals of the 2A 160-pound bracket, at Bremerton High School. Haven pinned Lindberg’s Abigail Chufar in the consolation finals of the girls 124-pound bracket, at Battle Ground High School.

Wyatt Eakins defeated Olympic’s Adrian Madison 18-4 to qualify for state in the 2A 113-pound bracket. He finished in fourth place at regionals. Jessica Eakins edged Washougal teammate Yaneli Martinez 5-4 for fifth place in the girls 100-pound regional bracket.

Erin Locke, Sara Sanchez and Zac Oster made it to the finals for Washougal. Locke pinned Montesano’s Rebecca Odegard for the girls 130-pound regional championship. Sanchez and Oster settled for second place.

“I dedicate this medal to my teammates. I wouldn’t get anywhere without them pushing me every single day,” Locke said. “I’m so thrilled as a captain and a fellow teammate to be sending so many Washougal wrestlers to state. I want to see us all come home with a state medal. I expect nothing but the best from everybody, myself included.”

Jessica Biron pinned Elma’s Alyx Marsh for third place at 155 pounds. Senior captain Tara Duey finished in fourth place to qualify for state for the first time.

“Tara has demonstrated so much growth, maturity and leadership. She has the total package,” Carver said. “It’s so great to see her get this opportunity to go to state as a senior. She’s a born leader. She talks and people follow.”

Jesse Reagan and Tanner Baldwin also earned third place medals for the Panthers. Reagan defeated Ridgefield’s Adrian Montiel 8-6 to qualify for state, and Othello’s Isaiah Rhodenhurst 10-8 in the medal match. Baldwin pinned Klahowyna’s Eli Everson to punch his ticket for state, and Renton’s Vladimir Kalinin 7-4 in the medal match.