Sports

Four Peninsula wrestlers place at Mat Classic

Peninsula took four wrestlers to Mat Classic XXXIII and all four reached the podium Saturday.

Sophomore Justin Phipps and senior Emilia Robles placed sixth at 106 and 143 pounds, respectively, and senior Kylan Sonnen and junior Emmett Casey were eighth at 220 and 152.

“It was pretty exciting stuff,” said Seahawks Coach Gary Griffin. “It’s always a good thing when everyone you take comes home with a medal. That’s a positive no matter how you look at it. I thought we wrestled good, to our abilities. I think they got what they earned. There were some spots we probably wish we were better, but I think our athletes were pleased with their performance. … I think that’s progress in our program.”

Robles was the first Seahawks girl to reach the state championships and the first to place once she got there. She went 3-1 on Friday and wrestled eight total matches in two days.

Seahawks placers Kylan Sonnen, Emmett Casey, Emilia Robles and Justin Phipps. Photos courtesy of Gary Griffin

“She kept rattling off wins,” Griffin said. “She’s just a great kid. I’m so happy for her. She just works her tail off and never complains.”

Phipps continually improved throughout the year. “You really saw him capitalize on some great moments in the state tournament,” Griffin said. “He’s really maturing.”

Mat Classic capped an emotional season for Sonnen.

“With what he’s went through, losing his dad last year, seeing his emotion when getting into the placing rounds, it was beautifully sad,” Griffin said. “He had all those emotions come out in one moment. Knowing he cemented himself in Peninsula wrestling forever, it was quite amazing. It was awesome, touching, one of those moments you coach for.”

Casey emerged from the shadow of brothers Nolan and Issac, past state champ and runner-up.

“He wrestled tough,” Griffin said. “He ran into some real tough kids, battled back and put himself on the (placer) wall. His older brothers had done it before him. Now he knows what it feels like. He’s creating his own path. He’s seen the fruits of his labors in the hard work he’s put into it.”

“We’re a young team,” Griffin concluded. “To have two placers coming back and two seniors place, we couldn’t ask for more. All in all, I think we’ve got nothing but positives to look forward to. We capitalized where we should have and won the matches we should have.”

Gig Harbor freshman Jonah Edmund (113) and senior Abe Adione (182) failed to place.