Three Rivals wrestlers headed to state tournament

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With three East Jefferson Rivals wrestlers finishing in the top three of their weight divisions at Regionals, Jameson Henery, Mi Amada Lanphear Ramirez, and Devon Bennett-Anderson are headed for the Mat Classic XXXIV in Tacoma this coming weekend.

On Saturday, 14 grapplers traveled to two regional tournaments — the boys in Blaine and the girls in Sedro Wooley — as the quest for State continued.

On the girls’ side, Chloe Lampert (120-pound weight class), Ivy Hill (130-pound weight class), and Melody Douglas (155-pound weight division) each finished in fourth to qualify as alternates for the state tournament. Lanphear Ramirez finished second in the 115-pound weight class as she returns to State for the second year in a row, aspiring to gain the gold.

“Mi Amada Lanphear Ramirez continues on a tear this season, once again reaching the finals in a high-stakes tournament,” EJ Head Coach Steve Grimm said. “Last week she beat Brooklyn Jones of Orting High School by points, and this week Brooklyn won by decision 8-4.”

“These are two great competitors and if things go our way at the state tournament, Mi Amada could get another chance to battle Brooklyn Jones in the State finals,” Grimm added.

For the boys, Isaiah Johnson (120-pound weight division), Grady White (126-pound weight class), and Manaseh Lanphear Ramirez (145-pound weight class) each finished in fourth to become alternates for State. Bennett-Anderson (220-pound weight division) and Henery (152-pound weight class) both earned second to stamp their tickets to State in search of a title.

“Both Jameson [Henery] and Devon [Bennett-Anderson] won their first two matches by pin, which bought them tickets to compete in the state tournament next week,” said EJ Girls Coach Jim Wilcox. “These two wrestled great all day and earned it by fighting hard.”

Douglas capped her senior season by breaking the school record for the most pins.

“All six of these athletes were one move or one win away from qualifying to wrestle next week,” Assistant Coach Ryan White said of the alternates. “All of them battled through a great season. Three will be returning next year to address unfinished business. 

“Melody Douglas capped her senior year by breaking the school’s most pins record, a great accomplishment,” White added.

Six seniors ended their high school wrestling careers Saturday at Regionals. Ike Banks (boys 145-pound weight class), Lars Wakefield (boys 285-pound weight division), Beau Manuel (boys 285-pound weight class), Chloe Lampert (girls 120-pound weight class), Ivy Hill (girls 130-pound weight division), and Melody Douglas (girls 155-pound weight class) finished their seasons at Regionals.

“We are so proud of all our seniors for leaving it all on the mat this last weekend,” Grimm said. “They all learned the value of hard work.
I am excited for them to take our wrestling room ethics with them into their next chapter in life.”