MOUNT BAKER - Mount Baker girls' wrestlers Laura Torrero and Raney Lepper may have been different places in their wrestling careers last year, but the duo came up with the same result Thursday, Jan. 26, at the Northwest Conference Championships.
Torrero, who did not place at the conference championships last season and Raney Lepper, who won an individual state title last year, both won their weight classes to propel the Mountaineers to a dominating team win over the other 10 Northwest Conference schools competing at Mount Baker High School.
"We've really grown a lot in this program," said Torrero, who pinned Lynden's Nelly Medina in the final round. "It's a good feeling for me and a big stride. This is only my second year wrestling."
Mount Baker took first with 163 points, Lynden took fourth with 98 points, Nooksack Valley finished sixth with 67 points, Squalicum took seventh with 38 points, Bellingham was eighth with 26 points and Sehome, Blaine and Meridian rounded out the final 11.
The Mountaineers sent a total of nine wrestlers to the finals, while Lynden sent three and Nooksack Valley sent two to the final round.
Out of the nine Mount Baker wrestlers to make the finals, Torrero and Lepper were the only two to win. But while many of the Mountaineers struggled to win titles, Lepper had no problem.
The lone defending Whatcom County state champion breezed through her three opponents at 145, pinning each in less than 30 seconds, including Sedro-Woolley's Kendell Stafford, who Lepper beat in the final round.
"It definitely feels really good," Lepper said. "It was exciting. I just try to be aggressive. That's what I go by. I don't let (my opponent) control me."
Although Lepper is only recently returning to the mat after suffering a hand injury, she said she still feels good about where she is in the season, and added that she is feeling good about picking up her second state title in as many years come the state tournament in February.
Other than Torrero and Lepper, Dani Mata (118), Jessica Mata (124), Megan Young (130), Lacy Cannon (137), Rachel Hollinsworth (155), Aysha Schwinden (195) and Angela Mendez (265) all made the finals.
Mount Baker wasn't the lone team to enjoy success Thursday. Although Sedro-Woolley, Burlington-Edison and Mount Vernon took three of the top five overall team scores, Lynden sent Medina, Marissa Velez (170) and Lusia Garcia (265) all to the finals.
Garcia, who is undefeated in her first year wrestling, kept her streak going as she earned a first round pin over Mount Baker's Mendez in the finals.
"I just thank Jesus and my family and my coaches," Garcia said. "I think (Lynden) did a very good job. We work our butt off, and it is showing."
With a perfect record heading into postseason wrestling, Garcia has one main goal in mind.
"I want to win state now," Garcia said.
Lynden girls' wrestling coach Santos Gallegos was thrilled with the performance of his Lions.
"We did pretty good," Gallegos said. "I had a talk with the girls before and I told them this is their opportunity to see other wrestlers they haven't faced this season. Lusia did a good job tonight. She has been very motivated. Nelly did good job today. I saw great things from her, and Marissa made the finals, too."
Nooksack Valley also had a strong showing Thursday. Chloe Gardner (137) won an individual title via disqualification over Mount Baker's Lacy Cannon, while Alex Parsons (112) reached the finals but lost to Sedro-Woolley's Emily Iverson.
Squalicum was also represented well by the performances of Stephanie Wilson, Taryn Rogers and Kara Ebergson, while Sehome's Emily Lucke wrestled strong for Sehome and advanced to the semi-finals.
Up next for Wahatcom County girls' wrestlers is the sub regionals Friday and Saturday, Feb. 3 and 4, at Squalicum High School.
Reach Andrew Lang at andrew.lang@bellinghamherald.com or call 360-756-2862.
NOTE: Edited Friday, Jan. 27
Northwest Conference Championships
Team scores: 1. Mount Baker 163, 2. Sedro-Woolley 119, Burlington-Edison 107, 4. Lynden 98, 5. Mount Vernon 87, 6. Nooksack Valley 67, 7. Squalicum 38, 9. Sehome 12, 10. Blaine 6, 11. Meridian 0
100: Laura Torrero (Mount Baker) pin Nelly Medina (Lynden) 1:19, 106: Ashley Becerra (Burlington-Edison) pin Ariel Tsuffs (Burlington-Edison) 1:29, 112: Emily Iverson (Sedro-Woolley) pin Alex Parson (Nooksack Valley) :34, 118: Taylor Graham (Burlington-Edison) pin Dani Mata (Mount Baker) 2:29, 124: Katee Allen (Mount Vernon) pin Jessica Mata (Mount Baker) 5:41, 130: Jesse Kaech (Sedro-Woolley) dec. Megan Young (Mount Baker) 13-0, 137: Chloe Gardner DQ Lacy Cannon (Mount Baker), 145: Raney Lepper (Mount Baker) pin Kendell Stafford (Sedro-Woolley) :35, 155: Hailey Rabenstein (Sedro-Woolley) pin Rachel Hollinsworth (Mount Baker) 2:00, 170: Kamaree Allen (Mount Vernon) pin Marissa Velez (Lynden) 3:55, 195: Dellisha Hodges (Burlington-Edison) pin Aysha Schwinden (Mount Baker) 1:20, 265: Lusia Garcia (Lynden) pin Angela Mendez (Mount Baker) 1:53.
