Mule wrestlers heading to state Mat Classic

There has been an obvious downside to the bad weather, but it also created an opportunity for several Wahkiakum Mule wrestlers when regional tournaments were canceled. Five Mules will join wrestlers from nearly 300 teams around the state to compete in a 32-person Mat Classic bracket at the Tacoma Dome this weekend.

Eighth grader Kaiden Ray, at 126 pounds, will face Tristen Wood, an eighth grader from Almira-Coulee-Hartline in his first round. The winner will take on 10th grader Cody Field of Oroville.

Ninth grader Cayden Mendez, at 182 pounds, will take on Reagan Noha, a freshman from Colfax, in the first round. The winner will face Carson Sasse, a ninth grader from Tonasket.

Braxton Johns, a 145 pound sophomore, will face sophomore Hadlee Brown of Liberty Spangle in the first round. The winner will take on senior Garrett Wilson of Tonasket.

Sophomore Jenna Mellis, will compete in the 235 girls bracket, facing Emily Eakins, a junior from Washougal in the first round.

Junior Jamil Dimaano, at 138 pounds, will wrestle sophomore John Walker of Republic/Curlew in the first round. The winner will face Kevin Sanabria, a freshman from Tonasket.

McKenna Mendez will travel with the team as an alternate.