OLYMPIA — The Port Angeles wrestling team stepped out of Olympic League action and fared well over the weekend against what is likely to be the toughest competition they’ll face this year at the two-day Gut Check Challenge on the campus of the Evergreen State College.
The Roughriders didn’t qualify any individual wrestlers into the finals, but did finish fifth out of a sterling cast of 59 teams at the event.
“[We finished] behind only [Class] 3A University, two teams from Oregon, including the defending 5A state champions, and 4A Yelm,” Port Angeles coach Erik Gonzalez said.
“[We] also won the team sportsmanship award in this tournament that was much tougher even than state.”
Port Angeles was able to place high after multiple wrestlers scored well in the consolation brackets.
Brady Anderson had the highest indvidual finish, third at 126 pounds for the Riders.
Matt Robbins (195 pounds) finished fifth, Tyler Gale (106) was sixth and Roberto Coronel placed seventh at 285 pounds.
“Several others wrestled very well, including Gavin Crain [132 pounds] and Ben Basden [113] and Kyle La Fritz [220], who both lost in the round of 12,” Gonzalez said.
Port Angeles wrestles a double-dual with Sequim and Port Townsend at Port Townsend at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
Girls Basketball
Crosspoint 49, Quilcene 36
QUILCENE — The Rangers lack of depth was their undoing in a home loss to their league rivals.
“[We] matched the Warriors’ high-tempo play but lacked depth off the bench,” Quilcene coach Briana Weller said.
“They simply wore us out. We were down to eight players, including one freshman we brought up from the JV, Emily Hitt, while Crosspoint was able to rotate through nearly twice that.
“We also had trouble getting our shots to drop, even when we were right under the basket. It was just a tough night against a tough, well-coached team.”
The Rangers had good production from junior guard Megan Weller who scored 18 points and had four rebounds and two assists, and from senior post Sammy Rae, who posted a double-double with 11 points and 18 rebounds.
Katie Love added six points and seven rebounds and Hitt pulled down nine boards in her first varsity game.
The Rangers visit Northwest Yeshiva on Tuesday. Quilcene is looking to avenge an early-season loss to the 613s.
Crosspoint 49, Quilcene 36
Crosspoint 9 12 14 14— 49
Quilcene 3 6 6 21— 36
