Girl wrestlers finish season

Taking advantage of warm weather and a delayed season, girls from eight high schools throughout Snohomish County wrestled outdoors June 8 at Marysville-Pilchuck High School’s Quil Ceda Stadium to finish their season.

“It’s pretty exciting that we pulled it together,” said Andie White, who is the head coach for the girls wrestling teams at both Marysville-Pilchuck and Marysville Getchell high schools. Traditionally a winter sport, wrestlers had their season delayed for months because of the pandemic.

In addition to the Marysville schools, Everett, Glacier Peak, Arlington, Snohomish, Lake Stevens and Jackson also competed. Two mats were unrolled on the football field and the outdoor stands allowed for more spectators and families to watch.

As with previous scrambles for girls wrestling, no team scores were recorded and no post-season competition will take place.

Arlington girls wrestling coach Jim Smoots described the season as “making lemonade out of lemons,” and it was nice to end the season with a cool event of wrestling outdoors.

“We had quite a few pins,” White said. She noted Marysville-Pilchuck senior Chelsea Goeden finished her high school career with a pin and went 1-1 for the evening wrestling at 145 pounds. Marysville-Pilchuck sophomore Alivia White, competing at 190 pounds, won her matches June 8 and finished the season undefeated at 11-0. Marysville-Pilchuck sophomore Juju Kilroy, competing at 125 pounds, earned two quick pins during the scramble.

Smoots said team scores were sacrificed during the season for personal improvement.

“We were able to turn around and make it meaningful and significant to them,” Smoots said. Some wrestlers got 13 and 14 matches during the shortened season.

Arlington sophomore Hailey Latta won both of her matches in Marysville and finished the season at 13-1. Kaitlyn Swanson went 1-1 during the scramble and finished her season at 11-3, Smoots said.

Although they didn’t compete in Marysville on June 8 because of graduation activities, Smoots credited the seniors on the Eagles team.

Zoe Pittson, who wrestled at 145 pounds, showed unselfish leadership during the season. “She was just developing the team and being a great leader,” Smoots said. Fellow senior Bridgette Scott competed at 120 pounds during her second year wrestling.

Smoots said the season was positive all around even through there were tough times. Wrestlers underwent COVID-19 testing two times a week in addition to weight management, grade checks and having to practice and compete while wearing face masks.

With the season and school year concluded, wrestlers will spend part of their summer preparing for next school year. Smoots said a girls wrestling camp will take place during the summer break and White said the team will do some workout sessions over the summer. She added three wrestlers are competing at the national freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling tournament in Fargo.

“We’re seeing such growth here,” Smoots said.