T. Sepeni

HERMISTON — The Hermiston Bulldogs placed four wrestlers on the first team, and three on the second as the Mid-Columbia Conference honors were released last week.

Junior Aiden Favorite (120 pounds), freshman Jaysen Rodriguez (126), sophomore Ben Larson (160) and senior Jesse Vassey (220) were named to the first team by the conference coaches, while senior Hunter Dyer (138), junior Jaxson Gribskov (182) and senior Sam Cadenas (285) were selected to the second team.

Freshman Carlos Cervantes (106) and sophomore Daniel Garza (132) were named to the honorable mention team.

The Bulldogs had an outstanding season placing second at the 3A state tournament, and crowning two champions.

Gribskov, who placed third at regionals, became the first Hermiston wrestler to win a Washington state title when he won by a 12-4 major decision over Deklen Agloinga of Mead at 182 pounds.

Cadenas, who pinned his first three opponents at state, was pushed in the 285-pound championship match before he came away with a 5-4 decision over Burak Bowers of Bonney Lake.

Cadenas, who also won district and regional titles, finished the season 36-3.

Also placing at state for the Bulldogs were Vassey (3rd), Larson (5th), Rodriguez (5th), Favorite (5th), Daniel Garza (6th, 132) and Dyer (7th, 138).

Jake Hubby (138) of Hanford was named the Lower Weight Wrestler of the Year, while Chiawana’s Darion Johnson (182) was the Upper Weight Wrestler of the Year. Chiawana’s Jack Anderson was named Coach of the Year.

The Hermiston girls had three wrestlers earn honors, led by senior Eseta Sepeni who was named to the first team at 235 pounds.

Junior Parys Payne (145) and freshman Tutaitaga Sepeni (235) were selected to the second team.

Eseta Sepeni, in just her second year of wrestling, became the first female wrestler from Hermiston to place at state. Sepeni finished third, winning three loser-out matches to reach the podium. She beat Allaina Cox of White River 3-1 in the third-place match.

Edna Fuentes (125) of Richland was named the Lower Weight Wrestler of the Year, while Chiawana’s Alanna Haney was the Upper Weight Wrestler of the Year. Chiawana’s Shannon Stover was named Coach of the Year.

Lower Weight Wrestler of the Year: Jake Hubby, jr., Hanford

Upper Weight Wrestler of the Year: Darion Johnson, sr., Chiawana

Coach of the Year: Jack Anderson, Chiawana

First Team

106 — Jacob Chapa, so., Southridge. 113 — Isaiah Medina, jr., Chiawana. 120 — Aiden Favorite, jr., Hermiston. 126 — Jaysen Rodriguez, fr., Hermiston; Victor Godinez, sr., Pasco. 132 — Jordan Tobias, so., Chiawana. 138 — Jake Hubby, 138, jr., Hanford. 145 — Caden Wilson, so., Hanford. 152 — Hunter Taylor, so., Chiawana. 160 — Ben Larson, so., Hermiston. 170 — Jake Humphrey, sr., Walla Walla; Judah Bishop, jr, Chiawana. 182 — Darion Johnson, sr., Chiawana. 195 — Isaiah Anderson, sr., Chiawana. 220 — Jesse Vassey, sr., Hermiston. 285 — Jaxin McCallum, sr., Kamiakin.

Second Team

106 — Anthony Pina, so., Chiawana. 113 — Dalton Johnson, fr., Chiawana. 120 — Juan Hoffman, so., Kamiakin. 132 — Jesus Manzo, sr., Pasco. 138 — Hunter Dyer, sr., Hermiston. 145 — Mateo Caso, jr., Walla Walla. 152 — Drew Humphrey, jr., Walla Walla. 160 — Liam Lucas, sr., Hanford. 182 — Jaxson Gribskov, jr., Hermiston. 195 — Ethan Buroker, sr., Kamiakin. 220 — Eduardo Aguilar, sr., Pasco. 285 — Sam Cadenas, sr., Hermiston.

Honorable Mention

106 — Carlos Cervantes, fr., Hermiston. 126 — Davian Martinez, sr., Chiawana. 132 — Daniel Garza, so., Hermiston. 145 — Lance Stover, sr., Chiawana. 152 — Mason Tovar, so., Chiawana.

Lower Weight Wrestler of the Year: Edna Fuentes, sr., Richland

Upper Weight Wrestler of the Year: Alanna Haney, jr., Chiawana

Coach of the Year: Shannon Stover, Chiawana

First Team

100 — Natalia Tovar, Pasco. 105 — Alexia Fabian, jr., Chiawana. 110 — Kylie Gideon, jr., Southridge. 115 — Maria Hinojosa, sr., Chiawana. 120 — Sofia Correa, sr., Pasco. 125 — Edna Fuentes, sr., Richland. 130 — Mattie Stayrook, sr., Southridge. 135 — Alanna Haney, jr., Chiawana. 140 — Alexa Kemp, fr., Walla Walla. 145 — Sara Correa Cambindo, sr., Kennewick. 155 — Selena Reyna, sr., Hanford. 170 — Hailey Ahsmuhs, sr., Richland. 190 — Erin Kemer, jr., Richland. 235 — Eseta Sepeni, sr., Hermiston.

Second Team

100 — Cecilia Hobbs, sr., Kennewick. 105 — Veronica Arroyo, sr., Kamiakin. 110 — Jamie Hoffman, fr., Kennewick. 115 — Justice Sanchez, jr., Pasco. 120 — Kylie Kemp, sr., Walla Walla. 125 — Lexi Gideon, fr., Southridge. 130 — Lana Ali, sr., Chiawana. 135 — Naveah Vogtman, so., Kennewick. 140 — Carmen Hall, so., Hanford. 145 — Parys Payne, jr., Hermiston. 155 — Portia Harker, fr., Richland. 170 — Ayanna Asselin, sr., Kennewick. 190 — Mirella Morfin, sr., Pasco. 235 — Tutaitaga Sepeni, fr., Hermiston.

Honorable Mention

130 — Vanessa Robles, so., Kennewick. 135 — Kyndra Casias, so., Richland.