His rival from Olympic had the upper hand in sub-regional and regional tournaments, but Sequim’s Grant Pierson had it on prep wrestling’s biggest stage.
Pierson, a senior, earned a hard-fought, fifth-place medal at the MatClassic state tournament in February and Olympic League coaches honored that with the league’s 2017 boys wrestling MVP award.
Pierson went 4-2 at the state 2A tourney, held Feb. 17-18 at the Tacoma Dome.
Among his wins was a pin of Olympic standout Logan Madison, who beat Pierson in two previous tourneys — including a 4-2, overtime win at regionals a week before.
Madison won honors for the league’s 160-pound weight class.
Joining Pierson atop the Olympic League postseason honor dais is Sequim’s Alma Mendoza, who was named league co-MVP along with North Kitsap freshman Holly Beaudoin. Mendoza, a senior, rebounded from a fifth-place finish at regionals to go 3-1 and take second in the 155-pound weight class at state, behind Ally De La Cruz of Kamiak. She also took league honors for her weight class.
Four other Wolves joined the two on the all-Olympic League list: Pierson’s sister Kiara, who went 4-1 and took third place at the state tourney at 120 pounds; Adrian Klarich, who placed seventh at state at 182 pounds; Aylee Bennett, who qualified for regionals at 140 pounds, and missed a state berth by two wins, and Madison Uranga, who qualified for regionals at 190 pounds.
North Kitsap took home both league sportsmanship awards. Troy Reynolds of Olympic was named Coach of the Year and Kingston’s Peyton Reece as the top assistant. On the girls’ side, Klahowya’s Samantha Lovelace was selected Coach of the Year, while Erin Evans was picked top assistant.
Craig, relay squads get all-league nod
Sequim’s boys swimming crew got some postseason honors as well.
Junior Mathew Craig, who placed fourth at the state 2A meet in mid-February, was named to the all-Olympic League team, along with all three of Sequim High’s relays.
Sequim’s senior Christian Goodrich, sophomores Alex Berikoff and Liam Payne, and freshman Jax Thaxton were selected for all-league honors in 200 free, 200 medley and 400 free relays. Their 400 free relay squad qualified for the state 2A meet.
Kingston’s Mark Van Huis was selected Coach of the Year. Bremerton was given the league’s sportsmanship award.
