Another great season: Jack Wrestling beats MM for the 8th Straight Year

By Sergio Vasquez

“I guarantee we will beat them next year, too”, RAL Coach Lindsey said after the rivalry wrestling meet of RAL vs. Mark Morris held a t RAL. A bold statement, but after eight straight years of defeating  the Monarchs, who dares to doubt the RAL wrestlers can go for number nine?

The night kicked off by introducing the alumni of both schools. With alumni present, the last meet of the regular season, and with the cross-town rivalry match on the line, the Jacks couldn’t have had a better night for senior night. The seniors, whom included Zac Williams, Danny Irby and William Yordy, each won their matches.

 The Jacks finished their great season by defeating the Monarchs 45-26 in a well fought battle all the way to the last bout. The Jacks won 10 out of 12 matches with Tanner Ackerly (9), Christian Hudek (11), Jared LaFrance (11), Yordy (12), and Williams (12) all winning by pin.

“Overall, all the guys got after it and did a great job,” Lindsay said. “Those who won, and those who lost, both did good”

The Jacks finished with a winning season this year in league. They walked all over Hockinson finishing 60-12, beat Ridgefield 51-25, and the only defeat was against Washougal in which they came up short 35-36.

“I’m glad I took up wrestling last year and continued it this year. Overall the season was a good one”, Danny Irby(12)  said.

“I do feel like I have also improved from last year”, Irby said.

After placing 2nd in league, the Jacks set off to districts where many of their wrestlers also continued onto regionals. In regionals  William Yordy, Zac Williams, Josh Johnson, and Jacob Collins all placed and qualified for the state tournament on Saturday February 20th at the Tacoma dome.

Collins will be the only Jack with his first state appearance, all the other Jacks have visited the Dome for the final tournament before.

“ I hope to go deep into the bracket this year. I have focused all season for state” Johnson said.

“This is where it counts,” Yordy added.