Girls wrestling took the mats at the regional championship on Feb. 11, finishing eleventh in the region and junior Tabatha Bowden qualified for state for the third time. 

“It is an amazing feeling to have a state qualifier, as this is my first year as a head coach,” Girls Head Coach Ryan Bascue said. “It is an incredible feeling to see one of your athlete’s hard work pay off. The moment when they clinch a spot in the state tournament is special.”

Boys Head Coach Chuck Brown also weighed in on the success of Bowden.

“Tabatha is one step closer to making history,” Brown said. “If she makes it to state next year she would be the 1st wrestler in school history, boy or girl to go to the state tournament all four years.”

Among Bowden’s success, other wrestlers shone at the regional championship. Jordan Flores finished in fifth place and Ava Washington finished in sixth place. One of the alternates, Joni Chuka, got pulled into the bracket after a girl from our district busted weight at weigh-ins, she finished top eight. 

“I am so proud of my girls,” Bascue said. “We set a strong foundation for next year. I am returning most of my team next year. The job isn’t finished yet. Now the goal is to get Tabatha on the podium and be a state placer.”

The girls had previous success at the District Meet where Jordan Flores finished runner up in the championship, Tabatha Bowden and Ava Washington finished third and Madison Deragon finished fourth. The team placed fifth at district together overall which led them to the regional match. 

“We all have a good idea on how to wrestle and what to do to win plus we have great coaches to guide us through matches,” senior wrestler Brianna Bazile said.