Girls Wrestling | Kentwood duo settles for 2nds

TACOMA — It wasn't the type of lesson either Antonia Navejas or Jolene Crook-Meyers wanted to learn at the second girls state wrestling tournament.

Both Kentwood juniors lost in the championship round Saturday at the Tacoma Dome. Navejas had hoped to defend her title while Crook-Meyers chased her first crown.

"I just hope to learn off this loss and win it next year," Navejas said moments after a consoling hug from her father.

Willapa Valley senior Megan Martin defeated Navejas 11-4 at 119 pounds. Navejas won the title last year at 112. Martin had a 7-0 lead in the third round before Navejas cut the deficit to 7-4. Martin also beat Navejas in the regional final.

Mount Baker won the team title with 77 points. Hoquiam, the defending state champion, placed second with 76 followed by Yelm at 56.5, La Conner at 44 and Kentwood at 43.

Crook-Meyers finished as a runner-up for the second consecutive year. Freshman Sheridan McDonald of Kiona-Benton dominated Crook-Meyers from the start for an 18-1 technical fall at 135.

"I guess it's a good thing to come back next year," said Crook-Meyers. "I just hope I do not make the same mistakes I made last year and this year."

McDonald opened a 5-0 lead after one round, 10-1 after two rounds and then scored eight more points in the final round. The powerful moves by McDonald caught Crook-Meyers by surprise.

"I was expecting a little bit less," said Crook-Meyers, who placed second at 130 last year. "I think I went out thinking like I was going to win rather than focusing on the opponent."

Unlike the Kentwood girls, Highline senior Siri Berg won't get another shot. Washington senior Kylee Bishop notched her second championship when she pinned Berg in 3 minutes, 36 seconds at 160.

"She goes really hard and is tough and strong," Berg said of Bishop, who led 3-0 in the second round before getting the fall.

Going against defending state champion Bishop in front of a large crowd bothered Berg.

"She had more confidence," Berg said. "I was really nervous. She got a burst of energy and ended it."

Notes

• Hoquiam junior Kelsey Klein defended her title at 125 with an 8-7 win over Yelm senior Danielle Curlis in four overtimes.

• La Center senior Christina Cox defended her title at 130.

• Other repeat winners included Mount Baker senior Ashlee Phy at 145 and Kelso sophomore Alisha Beach at 285.