A look at who to watch during the girls’ wrestling season
Julie Aguilar De La Cruz
Meridian, So., 110
A relative unknown competing as the only Meridian girl last season, but finished third at the sub-regional before taking fourth at the regional to qualify for Mat Classic. She suffered two losses after a first-round pin at Mat Classic XXVII, falling just shy of a medal in her freshman season. Bound to continue to get better as a young star in the Northwest Conference.
Maria Cazares
Nooksack Valley, Sr., 100
The lightweight finished 1-2 at last year’s Mat Classic, just missing out on the second day after not qualifying for state in 2014. She won the regional tournament with a 16-1 victory over Lynden’s Krystal Cruz in the championship match and finished second at the sub-regional. She could be in store for a state medal in her senior season.
Akemi Schwinden
Mount Baker, Sr., 235
The heavyweight finished last year with a 22-5 record and a fourth-place medal at the Mat Classic, redeeming herself after an injury at state in 2014. She also won the regional tournament over Sehome’s Lisa Hernandez, who had beat her the year before. With Hernandez graduated, Schwinden is the top wrestler at 235 pounds in the conference.
Natalie Smith
Mount Baker, Sr., 120
The returning All-Whatcom County girls’ wrestler of the year enters her senior year with eyes on a state title. She finished last season 38-4, won the first three of her matches at the Mat Classic and got to the 120-pound championship match. She fell to three-time state champ Jordyn Bartelson, who could meet Smith in the title match again.
Kali Spady
Lynden, Jr., 130
Spady went 1-2 at last year’s state championships in the 130-pound class and missed out on a medal in her first year at the Mat Classic. She also took second at the regional tournament, getting to the final in that event. She took a step forward last season as a sophomore and should only continue to build on that this year as she aims to get back to the Classic.
This story was originally published December 12, 2015 at 8:35 AM with the headline "A look at who to watch during the girls’ wrestling season."