Jackson’s Miller makes history, finishes second

Published 9:00 pm Saturday, February 17, 2007

TACOMA – Tara Miller made history Saturday evening, even if the memories of it are less than perfect.

While participating in the first officially recognized girls wrestling final in state history, the 103-pound Jackson High School junior came up short, taking second place after a 3-2 loss to Sarah Rowen of Columbia River.

“That’s pretty good,” Miller said of her second-place finish. “She’s ranked ninth in the nation, so it makes me wonder where I rank.”

Miller struggled to score points on Rowen, falling behind 2-0 on an early takedown and trailing the rest of the way. After recording an escape with 1:13 left in the match, Miller trailed 3-2 but couldn’t get the deciding takedown.

“I should have pushed a little harder and taken more shots,” Miller said. “We were both stalling a little bit, but I should have tried to do more.”

As a member of the lowest weight class, Miller got to take part in the first-ever championship. She said she’ll always be proud of that feat.

“When I lived in Minnesota, I got ridiculed by my family a little bit; my family was disappointed in me for being a wrestler,” Miller said. “But now they’ve become more accepting.”

This year, Washington became the third state to officially sanction the girls wrestling tournament.

“It’s a pretty special thing to be able to see that,” said Gus Amaya, the Timberwolves’ wrestling coach. “I’m pretty excited to see it. Some people are, some aren’t, and I am one of those who is.

“It’s still stressful on the coach, whether it’s a girl or a boy out there.”

The only other local wrestler to take part in the girls finals was 160-pound Sydney Nelson of Oak Harbor. Nelson ran into a buzz-saw in the finals, losing to unbeaten senior Kylee Bishop of Washington High School 9-1.

“She has seven years in wrestling,” Nelson said. “This is my first year.”

Lynnwood’s Taneal Detschman (third at 112), Arlington’s Jennifer Jayne (third at 135), Lake Stevens’s Joemae Alewine (fourth at 103) and Jackson’s Tawnyrae Richards (fourth at 119) also received medals.

Wherever they placed, this year’s participants will always have history on their side.

As pioneers of girls wrestling, the 2007 class has something almost as impressive as a state title.

“It’s great,” Miller said. “We just made history, all of us girls (at the tournament). All of us are really excited about it. I hope that soon a lot of other states will have (girls wrestling).”