Blaine wins sub-regionals, sends 15 wrestlers to regionals

By Ian Ferguson

Young Blaine wrestlers followed the example set by their veteran leaders as 15 Borderites placed in the sub-regional tournament in Sedro-Woolley February 6.

Blaine won the 2A tournament with 345 points. Eleven Borderites made it to finals, and five of those wrestlers emerged as champions in their weight class.

“It was a really good tournament for us,” Blaine head coach Craig Foster said. “To have 11 guys in finals and 15 going through to regionals helps our chances getting to state.”

Champions included Colton Economy (126), Preston Bellville (138), Anthony Frey (145), Caleb Frey (152) and Riley Fritsch (160). Second place finishers included Stuey Rasar (113), Caleb Bullard (126), Derreck Camba (132), Aidan Button (138), Matt McCauley (145) and Eric Davis (160). Saul Magallon (195) placed third. Chase DuBois (152), Jacob Westfall (170) and Porter Schmidt (285) took fourth.

“A lot of the younger guys stepped up and won matches. Aidan (Button) won an exciting match against the number one seed at 138. Caleb Bullard, Jacob Westfall, Chase DuBois and Porter Schmidt – they’re all young guys who did a great job,” Foster said.

Winning the sub-regional tournament is a major feat for any team, but as usual, the Borderites have their sights set on the big prize: the state tournament. To get there, wrestlers will have to qualify in the WIAA Region #1 2A Wrestling Tournament at Bremerton High School this Saturday, February 13.

“It’s a competitive region and there are a lot of strong schools,” Foster said. “It’s nice to take numbers, but the key is to qualify for state, so hopefully the kids can keep doing what they’ve been doing all season, stepping up, wrestling well and competing.”

The regional tournament begins at 10 a.m.