Baker wins Woolley Women’s

Natalie Smith, Korbyn Cadle and Akemi Schwinden won wrestling titles during the Woolley Women’s Wrestling Tournament to help Mount Baker claim a team title Saturday, Jan. 2, at Sedro-Woolley.

Joining Smith (120), Cadle (125), and Schwinden (235) as Mountaineers placers were Taylor Van Brocklin (135) and Rachel Nichols (170), who each placed second.

Mount Baker finished with 212 points, Lynden placed second with 133 and Nooksack Valled rounded out a talented field with a third-place finish and 129 points.

“It was a lot tougher of a tournament,” Baker coach Clyde Blockley said in a phone interview. “We had five girls in the finals, and last time we had seven and they all won. ... Natalie beat a girl who was third in state last year.”

Lynden received strong tournaments from 140-pound wrestler Kalie Spady and 145-pounder Senaida Veliz, who both tournament titles.

Other Lions placers were Thalia Veliz (190), who took second, Karina Martinez (130), who placed fourth, and Stephanie Carrillo (100), who also placed fourth.

“I was pretty proud of all the girls,” Lynden co-coach Santos Gallegos said in a phone interview. “They wrestled really tough and competitive. We have a really young team this year, but it was impressive. I don’t have anything bad to say.”

Gallegos was exceptionally impressed Senaida, who had to win some tough matches on the path to her title.

Boys’ wrestling Franklin Pierce Cardinal Classic

Led by 285-pounder Briley Funk, the Sehome wrestling team placed fourth during the Franklin Pierce Cardinal Classic on Saturday, Jan. 2.

Funk won a title and other placers included Zach Zimmerman (220), who placed second, Davis Canfield-Cole (182) and Kyle Clemnson (138), who each placed third, Ren Schroyer (152), who took fourth and Jacob Day (132) finished fifth.

“Ending the holidays and all the family stuff, I thought we competed well,” Sehome coach Scott Schroyer said in a phone interview.

Pac-Coast Tournament

Riley Fritsch’s second-place finish at the highley-touted Pac-Coast Tournament highlighted Blaine’s 10th-place team finish Saturday, Jan. 2, in Vancouver.

The Borderites placed 10th out of 31 teams and joining Fritsch among placers were Caleb Frey (152), who took fourth, Derrek Camba (132), Saul Magallon (195), Colton Economny (126), who all took sixth and Anthony Frey (145), who placed seventh.

Ferndale finished 13th, and Squalicum placed 29th.

Fritsch wrestled what arguably could have been the match of the tournament in the finals. He lost in triple overtime to Union wrestling Tommy Strassenburg.

“Riley had a great tournament,” Blaine coach Craig Foster said. “He wanted to win, but it was a great tournament.”

This story was originally published January 2, 2016 at 9:09 PM with the headline "Baker wins Woolley Women’s."