Area girls qualify for state Mat Classic

CHENEY – The Blackhawks’ budding girls wrestling program had big growth in 2023-24.

That continues this weekend when the team doubles its Mat Classic attendees.

Jalisca Holmgren will wrestle at state in the 125-pound class and Jenny Tian at 110 pounds.

Meanwhile, Liberty’s Kariyah Strobel will wrestle at state at 140 pounds and Medical Lake’s Lyla Heinemann will be an alternate at 130 pounds.

“Last year, we took one and this year Cheney builds on that and gets two girls into the state tournament at the Tacoma Dome this Week, Coach Jeremy McGee wrote in an email after competition at Sunnyside High School.

Holmgren, Cheney’s lone state placer in 2023, earned a return trip to Tacoma in a dramatic fashion.

In the 125-pound first round, the sophomore not only won but did so over Addison Lewis from Pasco in a pin — with one second remaining. Holmgren also avenged an earlier loss to Lewis.

Holmgren ultimately finished fourth,as did freshmen Jenny Tian at 110-pounds.

Senior Gizzell Ramos (105), runner-up at districts the previous week, and Paige McGee (140) were both unable to crack the Mat Classic lineup.

“This year has had plenty of ups and downs,” McGee said. “We are building a strong foundation for the future for girls’ wrestling in Cheney.”

Small schools

Three area girls placed in the small school (1B-2A) regional wrestling tournament Saturday, Feb. 10, at Quincy High School. But only one is likely to wrestle at state.

Liberty (Spangle) wrestler Strobel qualified for the Mat Classic this weekend after finishing third at regionals at 140 pounds.

Heinemann finished fourth at 130 pounds, good enough to be an alternate to state.

Heinemann was the only girl to reach regionals for the Cardinals.

She opened by pinning Alta Bauer of Okanogan in 3:20, but lost in the semifinals as well as the bout for third plce to finish fourth.

The only other area regional placer was Alexis Taylor of Tekoa High School, who wrestled at 155 pounds for Liberty. She finished sixth.

But in the small school division, only the Top 3 girls qualify for state.

Liberty’s third regional competitor was Hanna Perkins at 135 pounds. She was pinned in her first two matches and eliminated.