A trio of area high school programs were ranked in the statewide Top 10 during the most recent posting by Washington Wrestling Report.
The organization last compiled its standings between Dec. 12 and 18, putting together separate lists for schools of all classifications. The process, like most athletic polls, is somewhat subjective; they are formulated by volunteers with knowledge of the wrestling scene. Some classifications are ranked by a single person, while others are the result of a committee effort.
Leading the way among local boys’ programs was White River, ranked No. 1 in the state’s Class 2A ranks. It’s a familiar spot for the Hornets, who captured last season’s state 2A team championship. The top three teams are predictable, with state powers Toppenish and Orting ranked second and third, respectively.
The Sumner Spartans were in the No. 6 spot in Class 4A, the state’s largest schools, and Bonney Lake landed at seventh in the 3A ranks.
The top-rated White River team had three wrestlers ranked No. 1 in their weight class: Gabe Hawthorne at 145 pounds, Weston Lyver at 152 and Nate Moore at 160.
Also for the Hornets, Max Wheeler was ranked No. 2 at 160 pounds; Jack Ervien was No. 2 at 170; Jared Rodarte was No. 3 at 138; Johnny McBride was No. 4 at 160; Nate Belcourt was No. 5 at 113; Eric Campbell was No. 5 at 220; and Klein Carter was No. 8 at 170 pounds.
In the Class 3A individual rankings, Bonney Lake had two wrestlers ranked No. 1, Yusief Lillie at 113 pounds and Brenden Chaowanapibool at 120.
Other Panthers in the individual rankings were Cody Coffey, No. 2 at 170 pounds; Kelly Hickson, No. 10, also at 170; and Orrin Brateng, No. 6 at 285.
Leading the way for Sumner High was Marcus Peterson, ranked No. 1 at 145 pounds.
Sumner also was represented in the individual rankings by CJ Richmond, No. 2 at 145; Daniel McCarty, No. 10 at 106 pounds; Griffin Klockerman, No. 11 at 120; Jonathon Williams, No. 8, and Colin Cleland, No. 12, both at 126; Austin Cleland, No. 6 at 138; and Nate Carnicle, No. 7 at 170.
Cracking the individual rankings from Enumclaw High were Cole Bowen, No. 8 at 106 pounds; Brandon Cormier, No. 8 at 113; Matthew Dion, No. 12 at 160; and Trevor Chase, No. 12 at 195.
GIRLS STANDINGS
Washington Wrestling Report ranks girls teams in a single list, regardless of school size. That reflects the state wrestling tournament, where all girls’ teams compete in a single pool.
In the poll released Dec. 18, White River was ranked No. 3 (behind 4A teams from Union High and Federal Way) and Enumclaw was No. 18. They were the only area programs to crack the Top 25.
Ranked No. 1 individually were Enumclaw’s Kenzie Cormier, who topped the list at 115 pounds, and a pair of White River wrestlers, Payton Stroud at 125 and Claire DiCugno at 130.
Also finding their way into the most-recent rankings were: Jalia Williams, White River, No. 5 at 135; Rachel Poussier, White River, No. 6 at 130; Alex Hernandez, White River, No. 11 at 145; and Natasha Puzon, Enumclaw, No. 12 at 120 pounds.
