Eli Gremmert , CHS v. Archbishop on Jan 4. Photo by Kerry Koons The Cedarcrest wrestling team has been busy since the last article with 4 tournaments and 2 matches.

On January 12. the Redwolves wrestling team made the long ferry trip to Whidbey Island to take on the South Whidbey Falcons. The Falcons started out well with 2 pins as CHS Parker Dixon (195) and Sam Somers (220) both lost by pins to put Whidbey up 12-0. Everything from then on went to the Redwolves.

Robbie MacNair (285) had a forfeit. Bailey McBride (106), Conner Lemons (113), and Nik Werner (120) all won by pins putting Cedarcrest up 24-12. Ely Malametz (126) and Tim Kozemzak (132) had forfeits and then Nick Decker (138) won a tough battle 8-4 to make the team score 39-12. Carlos Toledano (145), DJ Bergquist (152), Eli Gremmert (160), and Cody Paxman (170) all had pins. Cody had the quick pin of the night with 12 seconds. Martin Vakamoce then won the last match of the night, a tough match 9-5, to finish the team score with Cedarcrest 66 and South Whidbey 12.

CHS Parker Dixon, CHS v. South Whidbey on Jan. 12. Photo by Kerry Koons On December 30, the team split with JV at Eastside Catholic and Varsity went to a new tournament at Eastmont High School in East Wenatchee.

All 11 wrestlers who travelled to Eastmont placed in the top 6. CHS won the tournament by a healthy margin over 3rd-in-state Ellensburg (2A) and much bigger 3A and 4A schools like Wenatchee and Hanford. Four Redwolves made the finals with Robbie MacNair (285) and Cody Paxman (160) both taking first place; and Curtis Chittenden (120) and Austin Koons (145) taking second. Bailey McBride (106), Carlos Toledano (145), and Martin Vakamoce (170) all won 3 matches and lost 1 to capture third place on the podium. Ely Malametz (126) took fourth, DJ Bergquist (152) placed fifth, and Nick Decker (138) and Nik Werner (113) both took sixth place.

It was a great tournament for the team and a great opportunity to get some exposure to the teams from eastern Washington. In the coaches’ room, some commented, “Where is Cedarcrest from? I have never heard of them.”

The JV team gained some good experience at the Eastside Catholic tournament with the following wrestlers participating: Alec Ward, Alex Gidlof, Alex Hueter, Callen Martinez, Conner Lemons, Elliott Dick, Parker Dixon, Preston Buckley, Spencer Boak, and Tyler Sutherland. Alex took fifth place at the tournament.

On January 4, the ArchBishop Murphy Wildcats came to Cedarcrest for a dual match. Bailey McBride (106) and Conner Lemons (113) both had forfeits. Nik Werner (120) lost a tough match 4-10, and Ely Malametz (126) had a forfeit. Mason Barrett (132) lost by pin and then Nick Decker (138) won 11-1. Carlos Toledano (145), Austin Koons (152), Eli Gremmert (160) all won by pins in the first round with the quick pin of the night by Carlos in just 10 seconds. Cody Paxman then won a hard fought match 7-0 and Martin Vakamoce lost 3-8. Spencer Boak (195) and Sam Somers (220) both lost by pins and then Robbie MacNair had a forfeit. CHS won the match 49 – 24.

On January 7. the Redwolves traveled to Kent for a tournament at Kent- Meridian High School. Although they were missing wrestlers who normally would place, the team narrowly missed winning the tournament and placed second. They had 7 wrestlers in the finals with Bailey McBride (106), Nick Decker (138), Carlos Toledano (145), Cody Paxman (170), and Robbie MacNair (285) all placing first and Ely Malametz (126) and Eli Gremmert (160) both placing second. DJ Bergquist (152) placed third and Nik Werner (120) placed fourth. Conner Lemons (113), Tim Kozemzak (132), and Parker Dixon (182) also participated.

On January 14. with only part of the team making the trip, CHS won the trophy at West Seattle with another first Place finish. They had 5 wrestlers in the finals with Ely Malametz (126), Carlos Toledano (145), and Robbie MacNair (285) finishing first place and Bailey McBride (106) and Tyler Sutherland (152) placing second. Conner Lemons (113) and Sam Somers (220) both placed co-third.

The following wrestlers also participated: Alec Ward, Bryce Mc- Kee, Callen Martinez, Collin Hall, Dallin Candland, Elliott Dick, Jacob Shepard, Parker Dixon, Preston Buckley, and Skyler Martinez.

CHS wrestling has a strong record this season and is now ranked second in Washington State 2A classification. They have 3 matches left and then must get ready for the post season tournament.