The White River High girls finished fourth at the Dec. 20 “Pride of Lady Lions” wrestling tournament in Lynden.

After finishing fifth a week earlier, “we were looking to keep improving and did just that,” coach Rich Valdez said.

“We asked them to best their efforts from the previous week and they responded with a strong showing,” the coach said. “Our veterans put the team on their backs and fought their way to the finals.”

Hannah Lewandowski took home a championship and Erin Redford and Kendra Blue were placed second in Lynden.

“We got valuable team points by pinning our opponents when we had the opportunity,” Valdez said.  “The whole squad wrestled with an urgency and awareness of needing the bonus points.”

He credited the team’s positive attitude to senior captains Lewandowski and Blue, along with Redford who “is also really stepping up and becoming a vocal team leader and helping set the tone for us this season.”

The squad received a bit of a break during the first week of school vacation, with a series of team bonding/building events.

“It’s a tough season with a lot of early mornings and long travel that spans some major holidays,” Valdez said, “and we like to promote a family atmosphere for our wrestlers and their families.”

Once the season resumes, White River’s girls will be chasing top competition by heading to tournaments in Sedro Woolley, Kelso and Othello, all in January.