SHORELINE — Even at less than full strength, the Jackson wrestling team still managed to have an impressive showing at last weekend’s Western Conference 4A South Division sub-regional tournament.
The Timberwolves advanced two individuals to the finals and two to the consolation finals of the two-day tournament that wrapped up Feb. 7 at Shorewood High School.
Jackson senior Charly Eaton lost a 17-6 decision to Everett’s Zach Ordona in the 130-pound finals and sophomore Harrison Warner was pinned by Mariner senior Trenton Tuiasosopo at the 1:47 mark of the 215 finals.
Both move on to this week’s regional tournament, as does senior Kevin Fox, who posted an 11-6 victory over Mountlake Terrace’s Theo Smith in the 160-pound consolation finals.
Eaton improved upon last year’s third-place sub-regional finish.
“It’s just a tough tournament all around,” he said. “I think the weight class, 130 in particular, was pretty tough. One through six, they were all good wrestlers.”
The top three placers automatically advanced to regionals, while the fourth-place finisher had to wrestle the Wesco North’s No. 5 in a pigtail match Tuesday night.
The top four individuals at regionals move on to state. Wesco South wrestlers will battle the Wesco North and the South Puget Sound League’s South Division at regionals.
“I don’t really know what to expect,” Eaton said. “They’ll be a lot of wrestlers I’ve never seen before, so it’s going to be different.”
Warner had the misfortune of going up against a much older and experienced competitor in Tuiasosopo, but was able to score some points before being pinned.
“He did better than he did last time,” said Jackson coach George Schwope. “It lasted longer. He’s come a long way this year. He’s continually improving and we’re seeing a lot out of him and there’s a lot to look forward to next year.”
Most of Warner’s counterparts in the 215 division are seniors.
“He’s going to be a junior and he can only grow,” Schwope said. “He’s looking pretty good for next year.”
Taking third place and earning an automatic berth to regionals took a load off of Fox’s mind.
“I was just glad that I still get the rest for the full five days for next week,” the Jackson senior said.
For a few moments, it was unclear who would come out on top in the consolation match. At one point in the third period, Fox appeared poised to pin Smith but then his Mountlake Terrace opponent gained the upper hand and had Fox on his back for a time.
“I just got caught. I was on my back for quite a while,” Fox said. “I kind of just waited there once I got comfortable. I knew I wasn’t close to getting pinned. I was still on my back.
“I just waited for him to relax and I just kind of exploded out. So I just used that last bit of energy to get out there.”
Fox beat Smith twice during the regular season, once during a dual match and then at the Edmonds Invitational. In the latter match, Fox was behind on points before he recorded a pin.
“I’m glad I’m going on to regionals as a senior,” Fox said. “I haven’t made it past districts for the past three years. I just wanted to at least get to regionals this year. So I’m really happy.”
Other top-six placers for Jackson included Sean Perez (fourth at 119), Ramsey Nijem (fifth at 125), Tony Martinez (sixth at 112), Joe Townsend (sixth at 145), David Parker (sixth at 152) and Joe Nijem (sixth at 171).
Perez won his pigtail match on Tuesday night and advanced to regionals.
Jackson likely would have moved more individuals on to regionals had the team been 100 percent healthy. Parker, a No. 2 seed, suffered an injury the first day of the tournament and was unable to continue.
The Timberwolves also were missing people at 171, 189 and heavyweight.
“There’s a little bit of disappointment,” Schwope said. “What can you do? We were missing some key players. I think we did pretty good considering the fact that we didn’t have all those guys. We have a lot to build on for next year.”
Everett (401.5 points) easily outdistanced Kamiak (298) to win a third straight team title. Mariner (290) was a close third ahead of Mountlake Terrace (186). Jackson (149.5), Edmonds-Woodway (130.5) and Shorewood (89.5) followed.
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