White River girls wrestling scores fourth-place state finish

Senior Mikaela Kilcup and junior Sam Mitchell led the White River High charge as the Hornets earned a fourth-place team finish Saturday at the 2A state girls wrestling tournament.

Senior Mikaela Kilcup and junior Sam Mitchell led the White River High charge as the Hornets earned a fourth-place team finish Saturday at the 2A state girls wrestling tournament.

The Hornets finished the night with 64 points behind champion Sedro Woolley, 83, Standwood, 71.5, and Fife, 70.

“I am extremely proud of my River girls,” coach Rich Valdez said. “They accomplished things above and beyond any expectations and have set a solid foundation for our girls program to build upon in the coming years.

“It was an extremely tough state tournament for us,” he continued. “Our girls fought back against every adversity they faced, from enduring injuries and toughing through it, to battling back after heartbreaking losses. They handed it all and earned the awards they received.”

Kilcup and Mitchell were the top finishers, each earning a third-place medal.

Kilcup earned her medal by pinning Marissa Veliz of Lynden in 3 minutes. Mitchell earned her third-place finish with a 9-2 decision over Aysha Schwinden of Mount Baker. Both dropped close semifinal losses, Mitchell losing a 9-8 decision while Kilcup got caught in a pin.

Kilcup earned the state academic title for her weight class, pulling down a perfect 4.0 grade-point average.

Junior Dylan Fagan finished fifth, pinning Kaela Piehler of Mount Baker for her final match.

Senior Kamy Padgett finished seventh, sticking Rose Eram of Mountain View in the opening 47 seconds of the match.

The Hornets also took Kaitlyn Johnson and Morgan Shirey to the tournmanet.