The East Jefferson Rivals wrestling teams soared past the Klahowya Eagles on their way to victory in the first home wrestling meet of the season.

All but two Rivals grapplers won their matchups on the night as EJ coasted to a 33-18 win last Wednesday evening.

“I was super proud of the whole team. We almost swept them, so that was nice to see,” said Steve Grimm, head coach of the EJ wrestling program. “Everybody wrestled well tonight and they were excited; a lot of big pins.”

The junior varsity athletes got the home meet started, with Rylan Dunn securing two wins via pin at the 138-pound weight class.

Henri Huber was next, winning by points in his first high-school match with a hard-fought 7-4 decision.

EJ’s Levi Donahue (145-pound weight class) closed the JV matchups by securing a pin to win his first wrestling match of the season.

In classic Rivals wrestling fashion, the overhead lights dimmed as the varsity squads prepared for battle, with all eyes fixed on the mat.

Following a grand entrance from the Rivals varsity wrestlers accompanied by AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” reverberating throughout the gymnasium, Rivals senior Chloe Lampert (125-pound weight class) was first up against the varsity Eagles. Lampert’s undefeated record remained untarnished as she dominated her opponent on the way to a first-round win via pin.

EJ senior Melody Douglas was next to the mat, grappling in the 125-pound weight class. Continuing with the home dominance and keeping her undefeated streak for the season intact, Douglas secured a pin and victory within the first period.

EJ’s Mi Amada Lanphear Ramirez was next, switching from her typical 120-pound weight class to the 125-pound class to face fellow state-ranked grappler Maya Young for one of the most anticipated matchups of the night.

With Lanphear Ramirez ranked No. 4 in the state and Young at No. 2 in their respective weight classes, the match offered a thrilling back-and-forth affair.

The two ranked wrestlers battled it out — with each securing takedowns — but it was Lanphear Ramirez who ended on top with a pin in the second period.

Ivy Hill (126-pound weight class) was the last of the Rivals girls wrestling team to compete, losing via pin in the second period.

The EJ boys team rounded out the home meet, starting with Grady White in the 138-pound weight division. White dominated his opponent, eventually securing an 11-4 victory by points after three rounds.

Ike Banks (145-pound weight division) came after, losing by pin in the first period.

Manaseh Lanphear Ramirez faced off in the 152-pound weight class, making it look easy with a first-period pin.

Devon Bennett Anderson dominated in the 220-pound weight class, soundly out-grappling his opponent on the way to a pin in the first round.

State competitor Lars Wakefield (285-pound weight class) was the final Rival to compete in the home meet, quickly securing the win with a pin in the first period.

Overall, EJ’s wrestling teams won the meet with a final score of 33-18 Rivals. EJ’s young wrestlers showed out, providing plenty of optimism for the promising underclassmen to continue to develop their skills with the goal of a state title.

“There are currently 10 freshmen on our roster, which bodes well for the future of EJ wrestling,” Rivals Girls Head Coach Jim Wilcox said. “The eight boys and two girls bring an attitude into the room that is providing a spark for the entire team.”

While there are some promising grapplers for the future, EJ’s teams contain multiple top-caliber grapplers capable of bringing home a state title this year. 

“For the girls, Mi Amada’s at an elite level right now. I’m trying to get her up near the top of the state. Chloe, Melody, and Ivy are right behind her, too,” Grimm said. “I’m hoping we’re going to have multiple girls that place at State this year, and maybe even a state champion.”

“Mi Amada, Chloe, and Melody are all seniors, so it’s kind of ‘go time’ for them. I’m pretty sure one of them could possibly even win state this year, maybe two,” Grimm added.

For the boys team, Grimm and Wilcox plan to get the top seniors to State, and continue developing the promising pool of underclassmen.

“On the boys side we have a group of seniors that should do very well and get to the state tournament this year — and we have some very young freshmen — but they’re super talented and this isn’t their first year wrestling,” Grimm said. “They’re all coming up from [Blue Heron] Middle School, and that would be Manasah, Grady, and Jameson Henery who didn’t get to wrestle tonight. Those guys are going to be studs this year.”

The Rivals were scheduled next to face off against Cascade Christian School in Puyallup on Wednesday.