Wrestlers rule the gorge

Ten medalists, seven finalists and three champions helped the Washougal wrestlers climb to the top of the Columbia River Gorge Invitational Saturday, at Stevenson High School.

Roger Polanco and John Sutherland earned championship medals for the Panthers. When Washougal sophomore Jacob Brown pinned his opponent from Hood River Valley in the third round of the final match in the tournament, the Panthers snatched the team title away from Ridgefield by 2.5 points.

“We are pleased with the overall progress our team is making, but we have a long road ahead to get our skills to a level that will bring success in the postseason,” said head coach John Carver.

Wyatt Eakins, Zach Oster, AJ Christianson and Deni Ortiz grabbed second place for Washougal. Bailey Burk took third place, and Brandon Casteel and Ulrich Reyes earned fourth place.

Camas wrestlers Andrew Duffy and Wesley Gilge became Columbia River Gorge champions Saturday. Both Papermakers were coming off fifth-place finishes at the Clark County tournament a week ago. Duffy had also won a tournament in Tumwater last month.

Tye Lommasson and Max Grimes reached the championship round of the Gorge tournament for Camas, and settled for second place. Skylar Munds finished in fourth place.

The Washougal girls wrestling team earned second place at the Emerald Ridge Jaguar Invitational Saturday, in Puyallup. Kelso eluded the Panthers for the team title by eight points.

Washougal junior Erin Locke beat Kelso’s Mariah Horton 6-2 for the 130-pound championship. Jessica Eakins and Sara Sanchez grabbed second place for the Panthers. Emily Alder-Storm, Tara Duey, Savanna Kepner and Romney Kellogg pinned their opponents for third place. Kaitlyn Purkeypyle earned third place uncontested. Jasmines Chhee and Christina Murray finished in fifth place.

Taryn Lommasson snagged second place for the Camas girls, and Shauna Ahearn and Jenna-Rae Wilson both settled for fifth place.