Wrestlers, swimmers to state meets; basketball in district play

The world of high school athletics heats up this week with wrestlers heading to Mat Classic, swimmers splashing into their state championships and basketball players deciding who will advance to the state Class 2A tournament.

Here’s a look at postseason action and how it pertains to the Hornets from both Enumclaw and White River high schools.

BOYS’ WRESTLING

Wrestlers from all corners of Washington, from schools both large and small, will gather for the two-day spectacle that is Mat Classic.

The Feb. 16-17 state championship meet will include 10 grapplers from the Plateau – four from Enumclaw High and six from White River.

Earning a state berth from EHS, based on their success during last weekend’s subregional tourney, were: senior Devlyn Bradshaw, 106 pounds; junior Caleb Grantham, 132 pounds; and freshmen Romeo Gwerder, 126, and Cole Schumacher, 144.

White River wrestlers who advanced from subregional competition and earned a state berth include five juniors: Hunter Oswold at 150 pounds, Caleb Dale at 157, Luke Lisherness at 165, Tyson Moran at 190 and Riley Simmons at 215. Also qualifying for state was freshman 120-pounder Brayden Thacker.

GIRLS’ WRESTLING

The girls’ side of Mat Classic will have six representatives from the Plateau, with five contestants from White River and one hailing from Enumclaw High

Wrestling at Mat Classic XXXV from White River will be senior Adriah Blue, competing at 135 pounds; junior Lilyana Lamothe, 130 pounds; sophomore Mya Turcott, 105; and freshmen Amanda Lillie, 110, and Marli Miller, 125.

The lone Enumclaw wrestler at state will be sophomore Sydney Poe, competing in the 190-pound division.

Mat Classic’s female competitors are split into two classifications. The Plateau representatives will be in a division that includes everyone from the smallest Class 1B schools through 2A. Another division exists for those in the larger Class 3A and Class 4A schools.

BOYS’ SWIM AND DIVE

The state championships will take place Feb. 15-17, once again at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way.

Representing White River in the Class 2A competition will be senior Mason Armold in both the 200-yard individual medley and the 100-yard butterfly; and sophomore Conroy Meyers in both the 50-yard and 100-yard freestyle events. Also at state will be White River’s 200-yard medley relay team and the 200-yard freestyle relay crew (both made up of Arnold, William Halaas, Meyers and Evan Weisheyer).

Enumclaw High’s state competitor will be junior David Prince in both the 200-yard freestyle and one-meter diving.

BOYS’ BASKETBALL

The District 2/3 tournament – which includes both Enumclaw and White River high schools and will eventually send six teams to the state tourney in Yakima – kicked off last night (Tuesday).

The White River bunch, fresh off their SPSL 2A championship, was awarded a No. 2 seed into district play. They are in a double-elimination situation and opened the tournament by hosting Bremerton High.

Win or lose, the Hornet boys will play again Thursday, Feb. 15, at Silas High School (formerly Wilson) in Tacoma. They will either be in the district semifinals, already assured of a state berth, or be playing a loser-out game.

The road is a bit tougher for the Enumclaw High boys, who entered district play Tuesday as the No. 9 seed. They hosted No. 16 North Mason in an opening-round, loser-out game. If EHS was victorious, the squad will be on the road Thursday against No. 1 North Mason or the No. 8 Foss Falcons.

A tournament bracket can be found at: www.wpanetwork.com/wiaa/brackets/tournament.php. Click on District 3, select “Boys Basketball” and classification 2A.

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

Based on their regular-season success, both the White River and Enumclaw High girls begin District 2/3 play assured of at least two games. They’re also one victory away from guaranteeing a place in the upcoming state tournament.

White River’s girls went undefeated in SPSL 2A play, earned a league title and were awarded with the No. 1 seed into the district tourney. Enumclaw had just two league losses, placed second and was seeded No. 5 into district play.

The 16-team District 2/3 tournament begins tonight (Wednesday) with the higher-seeded team hosting each of the eight pairings.

White River opens by hosting the No. 8 seed from North Kitsap, with tipoff set for 6 p.m. in the Buckley gym. A victory would put the Hornet girls into the district semifinal and assure them of a state berth. The semifinal game would begin at 7:45 p.m. Friday at Silas High (formerly Wilson) in Tacoma, where White River would be paired against either No. 4 Sequim or No. 5 Enumclaw. An opening-round loss would bring a loser-out game on Friday against No. 9 Clover Park or No. 16 Lindbergh, again on the Hornets’ home court.

Enumclaw’s girls open district play on the road, traveling to Sequim tonight for a 6 p.m. tussle with the No. 4 Wolves. A victory sends EHS into the semifinals against White River or North Kitsap on Friday at Silas High, where both will advance to state.

An opening-round loss would send EHS to a Friday, loser-out game that would be played at 6 p.m. in Chuck Smith Gymnasium on the Enumclaw High campus.

A tournament bracket can be found at: www.wpanetwork.com/wiaa/brackets/tournament.php. Click on District 3, select “Girls Basketball” and classification 2A.