Sports

Tides, Seahawks advance swimmers, wrestlers in postseason competition

Four Gig Harbor boys swimmers and two relay teams qualified Saturday for the state championships while 13 local wrestlers advanced to the regional tournament.

The Tides finished second to Bainbridge in team scoring at the West Central III 3A meet at Mount Tahoma High School. The Huston brothers won both of their events, senior Drew the 200 individual medley and 100 butterfly and sophomore Grant the 200 and 500 freestyles. Junior Ryan Nagata also moved on in two individual events after placing fourth in both the 200 IM and 100 backstroke. They’ll be joined by senior London Coats who was fifth in the 200 IM as Gig Harbor claimed three of five state spots in the event. The top five in each event advance.

The same foursome combined to place third in both the 200 relay and 200 free relay. Up to eight swimmers can be named for each relay team, and their composition for state will be determined later, said Coach Mike Kelly.

Peninsula’s Kylan Sonnen placed third at 220 pounds. Photo courtesy of Leanne Casey

“Overall, it was a really strong meet for the Tides and I feel the athletes and the coaches agree that the Tides did well,” Kelly said.

Peninsula swam about as well as possible, recording 16 out of 18 season-best times, though nobody qualified for state. A handful advanced to Saturday’s consolation finals. The 400 free relay team (Jonah Bergeson, Brian Kang, Aidan Miller, Carter Wiltbank) reached the awards podium by placing eighth, freshman Bergeson swam a lifetime best in the 100 back to place 10th, the 200 medley relay squad (Tanner Stiefel, Wiltbank, Taggart Messersmith, Kang) was 12th and sophomore Thomas Cardinal at a different site placed seventh in diving.

The state swimming and diving championships will be held Feb. 17-19 at King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way.

Eight Seahawks, 5 Tides bound for wrestling regionals

Peninsula advanced eight wrestlers and Gig Harbor pushed five through sub-regionals at Capital High to the regional tournament Saturday at Snohomish High.

Peninsula’s Emmett Casey (152) and Justin Phipps (106) both reached the finals, but came up a bit short. Owen Watkins of Capital pinned Casey in 2:29 and Kadyn Hagerty of Capital won a 7-2 decision over Phipps.

The Seahawks’ Xavier Clark (113) and Kylan Sonnen (220) third placed, Aiden Eversull (120) fourth, and Marcus Reum (145), Aiden Thomsen (195) and Trace Schumacher (285) fifth. The top five advance. Emilia Robles (145) took third at the girls sub-regional at Sequim High.

Peninsula’s Aiden Eversull arm bars his opponent to his back. Eversull placed fourth at 120 pounds. Photo courtesy of Leanne Casey

“I had hoped to get as many kids qualified for the regional tournament and thought our kids wrestled hard,” said Coach Gary Griffin. “Our lone senior,  Kylan Sonnen, finished third and is really hitting his stride. Our remaining qualifiers in Xavier Clark, Aiden Eversull, Marcus Reum, Aiden Thomsen and Trace Schumacher all had solid outings as well and will be looking to finish top five next week and get to the state tournament. Once in the (Tacoma) dome, anything can happen.

“I think our hard work and attention to some key positions have really allowed our kids to excel and peak at the right time. I’m looking forward to another great week of practice and preparing the team to be their best version of themselves come Saturday.

“Emilia Robles, our lone girl qualifier, had a great tournament as well, dropping a match in the semifinals and battling back to get third. She is a hard-working young lady, handles pressure well and is looking for her chance to be Peninsula’s first female state placer.”

Freshman Jonah Edmund led five Gig Harbor qualifiers to regionals, falling in the 113-pound finals to Timberline’s Ethan Fisk in 3:47. Abe Odiorne (182) placed third, and Ian Wescott (132), Jacob Wilsie (138) and Charlie Odiorne (160) all took fifth.