SEDRO-WOOLLEY — The state tournament is on deck.
In total, 18 girls from Whatcom County advanced to state after competing in the regional tournament Saturday at Sedro-Woolley High School.
Mount Baker and Bellingham United, the combination team of the three Bellingham high schools, are sending the most representatives with five each.
Blaine is next, sending three wrestlers. Lynden and Meridian will have two wrestlers competing and Ferndale will have one.
Bellingham United coach Brian Porteous said he couldn’t be more proud that all five wrestlers who made it to regionals also qualified for state.
“I wasn’t surprised today, but I was just so happy,” he said. “I haven’t quite all sorted it out yet.”
Porteous added this is the first time in history Bellingham United has had five wrestlers qualify for state.
Ferndale junior Malia Welch continued to dominate this season as she placed first in the 115-pound weight class to advance to the state tournament for the first time.
“I’m just really, really excited,” Welch said. “It’s an opportunity I’ve never had before and really wanted since my freshman year. I’m just excited I actually made it since we didn’t have the opportunity for it last year.”
Welch’s father, Tony Welch, is head coach of the Golden Eagles wrestling team. He said being in his daughter’s corner and seeing her achieve what she set out for this season has been a privilege.
As for the state tournament itself, they’re hoping to get everything possible out of it.
“I don’t want to be greedy, but all that we can,” Tony said. “We’re just going to take it all in.”
The state tournament runs Feb. 18–19 at the Tacoma Dome.
Girls who qualified for state from regionals are listed below by weight class.
100
Tempest Heiner, Mount Baker
Mount Baker’s Tempest Heiner pins Lindbergh’s Purnima Gurung during the WIAA Region 1 girls wrestling tournament at Sedro-Woolley High School.
(Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)
105
Ella Moa, Mount Baker
110
Genesis Vazquez, Blaine
Briseyda Nolasco, Blaine
Blaine’s Genesis Vazquez takes down Lake Stevens Mikaela Miller during the WIAA Region 1 girls wrestling tournament on Saturday.
(Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)
115
Malia Welch, Ferndale
130
Rue Ortiz, Bellingham United
135
Mirage Deneal, Meridian
Milania Rodriguez, Blaine
Meridian coaches and wrestlers cheer as Mirage Deneal keeps from being pinned in the final seconds and holds on to win the match during the WIAA Region 1 girls wrestling tournament at Sedro-Woolley High School on Feb. 12.
(Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)
140
Tegan Blackburn, Bellingham United
Camryn Jewell, Mount Baker
Bellingham’s Tegan Blackburn throws down Woodinville’s Soobin Jones during the WIAA Region 1 girls wrestling tournament at Sedro-Woolley High School.
(Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)
145
Regan Swope, Meridian
Mount Vernon’s Samara Knudsen throws Meridian’s Regan Swope to the mat during the WIAA Region 1 girls wrestling tournament at Sedro-Woolley High School on Saturday.
(Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)
155
Frances Porteous, Bellingham United
Belen Lopez, Lynden
170
Gabriella Cortes, Mount Baker
Sydney VanBrocklin, Mount Baker
190
Issabella Phillips, Bellingham United
Shayne Jiminez, Bellingham United
235
Hannah Kayser, Lynden
Lynden’s Hannah Kayser looks up to help pin her opponent in a semi-final wrestling match on Feb. 12.
(Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)
