Away to State: Grizzlies reap awards at state qualifier

FREEMAN — There are 15 Grizzly wrestlers heading to the Tacoma Dome this week to wrestle the top kids in the State and see how Newport stacks up.

Newport came away from the 1B/2B State Qualifier in Freeman Friday–Saturday, Feb. 14–15 with the following athletes headed to state: Tyson Nunley won second place in the 132-pound weight bracket, and Ares Swain, 190, also won second; Hunter Coe, 120-pounds, and Landen Pillers, 215, won third place in their weight categories; Preston Wasenske, 132, and Roman Tannehill, 285, in fourth place; Robert Warren, 175, and Nate Shaw, 144, both won fifth place; Gavvin Carter, 150, Conner Mc-Quinn, 215, and JJ Findley, 120, won sixth place in their brackets, and Jaden Medrano, 285, placed ninth.

“We are super excited for our chances at the state tournament,” Swain said. “We have a strong team with a ton of talent. I’m proud of this team and what we’ve accomplished this season. Now we get to go have some fun in the Tacoma Dome.”

Newport also took home top accolades like the boys’ team winning second place overall, the 2B North League Coach of the Year award for Daniel Swain and the Top Contributor of The Year award for the 2B North League Newport High School girls’ wrestling program. The Top Contributor award is voted on by the other coaches in the league and given to an individual or group who advances wrestling programs for youth in their area.

The state championships will be at the Tacoma Dome Friday–Saturday, Feb. 21–22 (TBA).