The East Jefferson Rivals’ wrestling campaign continued to Bainbridge last weekend as 15 grapplers crossed the canal Jan. 14 to participate in the annual Bainbridge Island Invitational tournament.

The Rivals wrestlers completed 41 matches and earned
16 wins on the day, with senior Melody Douglas winning three out of three matches to win first place in the girls 155-pound weight class.

Junior Mi Amada Lanphear Ramirez opted to battle with the boys, placing third in the 113-pound weight class with a 3-1 record at the tourney.

EJ freshman Manaseh Lanphear Ramirez competed at
145 pounds and finished fourth in the event at his weight class, ending the day with a 3-2 record.

“We are closing in on the end of the season,” said Jim Wilcox, head coach of the EJ girls team. “We have a handful of wrestlers that are hoping to make a splash in the postseason, which will begin in February.”

“Our kids are continuing to work hard and support one another.  It’s great to have so many hard workers on this team,” Wilcox added.

There were a lot of firsts for EJ as junior Isaiah Johnson competed in his very first high school wrestling event and won a match on the way to a sixth-place finish in the boys 120-pound weight division.

Freshman Zinnia Berg won her first wrestling match of the season by pinning her Bainbridge Island High School opponent in the first round.

Exchange student and Rivals wrestler Agata Opatma won her first match in the 140-pound weight class, beating her North Mason High opponent 11-3.

Senior Ike Banks returned from injury to gain two victories during the day for the 152-pound weight class.

As the postseason looms closer, the grapplers are set for Vashon Island next for an away dual meet Wednesday, Jan. 18. Then the Rivals are headed south Saturday, Jan. 21 for the End of Days Tournament in Tacoma.