The Port Townsend High School wrestling team sent four boys and one girl to the 1A Washington Interscholastic Activities Association’s Wrestling State Championships at the Tacoma Dome Feb. 16-17, where they competed in 16-person double-elimination brackets, with the top eight named as state placers.

“Unfortunately, we did not get a wrestler to win a medal this year,” said PT coach Steve Grimm.

PT’s Brenna Franklin, at 155 pounds, lost her first match to Mackayla Walter of Aberdeen, and then won her second match against Autumn Ortega of Stanwood. She was eliminated after losing her third match to Mercedes Holter of Castle Rock.

Ryan Caldwell, at 182 pounds, lost his first match to Skyler Gordon of Chelan. He won his second match against Jorge Villafan of Highland, and then was eliminated after losing his third match to Tyrone Mendez of Warden.

Kyle Caldwell, at 195 pounds, was eliminated after he lost his first two matches against eventual champion Nathan Halladay of Castle Rock and Manny Sabalza of Meridian.

Gabe Petrick, at 160 pounds, was eliminated after he lost his first two matches against Nick Fordham of Cle Elum/Roslyn and Braden Williams of Chelan.

Dylan Tracer, at 170 pounds, was eliminated after he lost his first two matches against Isaac Vargas of Zillah and Jekoby Tuttle of Connell.

“We didn’t perform as expected,” Grimm said. “We had a tough run at postseason, overcoming sickness and injury each week. We never really got to hit our full stride in training to prep for state, and I think the nerves got the best of us, which is typical wrestling for your first time at the massive 24-mat setup at the Tacoma Dome with 10,000-plus fans watching.”

Grimm believes his wrestlers started out “a little passive” and “not very aggressive,” and by the time they turned it on, it was too late.

“We took a young group, so I’m excited for next year, since four of our five state participants will be back, including Kyle, who’s a freshman,” Grimm said. “I don’t think I’ve ever had a freshman make it to state. They all gained some very valuable experience wrestling at the Tacoma Dome and being part of the big show. Ryan and Brenna were just one win away from state medals.”

Grimm deemed Ryan Caldwell his wrestler of the week, as PT’s lone senior at state and the team captain.

“He did everything he could to end his high school career with a state medal,” Grimm said. “In his final match, the winner of the match would move onto the second day of the tournament and guarantee themselves a state medal.”

In the first 30 seconds of the match, Caldwell went to hit a throw, tripped and stumbled off balance, just enough to get pushed onto his back. He recovered, but wound up behind 5-0 as a result.

“At state, against tough competition, it’s rare to come back from 5-0,” Grimm said. “Ryan fought and fought until the end, but was unable to close that 5-point gap. It’s crazy; you train all year, and one little slip can end it all. It was like Ryan had to start the match 5 points behind.”

Although Caldwell’s high school career didn’t end the way he wanted, Grimm still praised him for his work ethic and “incredible leadership” as team captain. Grimm credited that leadership with setting the tone for the younger members to strive toward next season.

“I am so proud of this team,” Grimm said. “They are a tremendous group of kids. They accomplished so much this year. We still had an amazing year, and brought home a league championship, plus an academic league title.”

Grimm’s game plan is to conduct training and a bit of recruiting over the summer months, before returning to defend their title.