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The East Jefferson Rivals wrestling teams secured a big 40-18 win against the Cascade Christian Cougars at their only home meet of the season last Wednesday at Port Townsend High School.

The Rivals celebrated Senior Night for three of their grapplers — Savanna Hoffmann, Logan Massie, and Gage Barry — with all three winning their Jan. 19 matches.

There were 10 matches in total, although three ended as forfeit wins for the Rivals considering the Cougars didn’t have grapplers in all weight classes against EJ.

Rivals junior Lars Wakefield (285-pound weight class) started off the event with a come-from-behind victory by fall in the second period.

The next three matches ended in forfeit victories for junior Lily Delgado (120 weight class), Hoffmann (126 weight class), and sophomore Mi Amada Lanphear Ramirez (132 weight class).

The fifth matchup saw junior Melody Douglas (145 weight class) lose by fall in the first period. Next, junior Ike Banks (152 weight class) lost by fall in the first period.

Junior Sam Lampert (160 weight class) won his match by points after three periods of back-and-forth action, with Lampert pulling through for the win.

Next, Massie (170 weight class) swiftly defeated his opponent by fall in the first period. Barry’s (182 weight class) match came after, with the senior soundly winning by fall in the first period.

Junior Devon Bennett-Anderson (195 weight class) rounded off the wrestling meet with another win by fall in the first period to bring the final score to 40-18, Rivals.

Jim Wilcox, head coach of the Rivals girls wrestling team, commended all three seniors and the team for its hard-fought victory at home.

“For the seniors, I’ve been with them since they were young and it’s nice to see that continuity coming through,” Wilcox said. “Our team really pulls together well.”

The coach offered praise for all three seniors and their growth on and off the wrestling mat, starting with Massie.

“I went to state with Logan [Massie] and that was pretty fun,” Wilcox said. “He’s come a long way.”

He praised Barry, as well, commending the senior’s growth after only two full seasons of wrestling.

“Gage is just enormously strong, and I see people trying to muscle with him and I think that’s the wrong move for them,” said Wilcox of Barry’s grappling power.

Last but not least, Wilcox complimented Hoffmann’s ferocity on the mat as well as her leadership skills.

“Savanna’s been one of the leaders on the team,” Wilcox said. “Coach [Steve Grimm] called it when he talked about that and her maturity level. It may be rubbing off on the younger kids.”

With the wrestling post-season mere weeks away, conditioning will be the primary focus for both teams, Wilcox said.

In their following meet Thursday, Jan. 20, the Rivals were defeated by Vashon Island 45-30.