Washougal claims county mat

Washougal’s fourth straight Clark County girls championship might have been the most deafening.

Yaneli Martinez, Morgan Ratcliff, Christina Murray and Abby Lees won their title matches. Jessica Eakins, Mialisa Oster and Hannah Eakins settled for second place. Samantha Eakins and Baylee Wright earned third place. Jaden Robb finished in fourth place. This combined effort helped the Panthers win the team title by a 77-point landslide.

“After all of the places we’ve been to wrestle, we’re finally coming home again and standing on that podium for all of Clark County to see,” Lees said. “It’s fun adding another medal to boost your confidence, but it’s all about the team. Our wrestling family.”

As Lees waited patiently for her turn to wrestle in the finals, she watched her cousins and teammates get their hand raised or walk away disappointed.

Martinez stepped up first for the Panthers and pinned Union’s Isabelle Morales in the second round for the 105-pound championship medal.

“Being the best in the area feels great. You can see that your hard work pays off,” Martinez said. “My goals are to get to state and place at state. These are my practice drills. State is the real thing. That’s where I’m heading.”

Jessica Eakins gained the first takedown against Kalama’s Emily Posey in the 115 title match. Posey then turned the tables in this battle between two Panthers. Eakins got caught on her back and pinned.

Mountain View’s Sara Angelo overpowered Oster in the 130 final, but the rest of the matches belonged to Washougal.

Ratcliff gained revenge on Mountain View by pinning Katelyn Shaffer for the 135 championship. The sophomore settled for second place at Clark County last season. This year, she stood on top of the podium.

“I’ve improved a lot. It’s good to come out and show that,” Ratcliff said. “We all work hard to get to this position every single day, and it shows.”

Murray and Hannah Eakins had the honor of wrestling each other for the 140 title. Murray was awarded with an 11-6 victory after a hard fought match.

“It’s great that we have two strong girls in the same bracket,” Murray said. “Even though you are guaranteed a win, you never want to see your teammate lose.”

At the end of the night, Eakins and Murray felt like winners when they held the team trophy.

“We have the biggest team in Clark County,” Murray said. “I’m really proud to be a Washougal Panther.”

Lees was the last Washougal wrestler to step on the mat, and it was worth the wait. She pinned Skyview’s Haley Horricks for the 155 championship.

“Everyone stays to see you,” Lees said. “You want to do your best, and make sure the stay was worthwhile.”

The Washougal boys wrestling team earned fourth place at Clark County.

Zach Oster snagged a third-place medal. Taylor Leifsen and Garrett Duey grabbed fourth place. Ruben Aguilar, Jacob Brown and Brandon McKee claimed fifth place. AJ Christianson settled for sixth place.