Making History: Sonnen, Parker and Seahawks Girls Wrestling Team Win First-Ever State Title

For all those Peninsula High School trivia buffs out there: Who was the first-ever Seahawks girls wrestler to win a state championship?

That answer and honor goes to Mira Sonnen.

Sonnen, Bailey Parker, and the rest of the Peninsula Seahawks girls wrestling team made school history at the 2024 WIAA State Wrestling Mat Classic Feb. 17 at the Tacoma Dome. In just its eighth year of existence, the Peninsula girls wrestling program crowned its first individual and team state champions.

“This is so ground-breaking and inspirational — it means everything,” said Seahawks girls and boys wrestling coach Gary Griffin. “They earned it.”

The girls won the 3A/4A state team title, scoring 122 points. Junior Mira Sonnen (140 lbs.) and sophomore Bailey Parker (145 lbs.) each won individual state championships. Sonnen (38-7) went up against defending state champ Flor Parker-Borrero (9-2; Graham Kapowsin High School).

It was a rematch of the Region 3 tournament championship from just a week earlier in which Sonnen pinned Parker-Borrero in less than two minutes. Two different matches, same result: Sonnen once again pinned Parker-Borrero, this time in 1:30. Parker-Borrero had beaten Sonnen the first three times the two met, but both of Parker-Borrero’s losses this year came at the hands of Sonnen.

“Mira puts her heart and soul into wrestling, and it shows,” Griffin said.

Parker took her 36-1 record into the state championship match. She quickly won the lopsided matchup by pinning Oksana Galiant (26-14; Kent Meridian) in 1:19. Destiny Woodruff from Bethel, whom Parker pinned for the regional championship Feb. 10, ended up taking third place at state.

This is only Parker’s second year of wrestling, and she took fourth place at last year’s Mat Classic. Her only loss this year was Dec. 22 to three-time state champion Ruby Clark from Toppenish. Clark competes in the small school division.

“Bailey dominated the field. We are in awe of her and her hard work, dedication, and great attitude,” Griffin said.

Olivia Griffin (41-15), the coach’s daughter, finished in fifth place in the 100 lbs. class by avenging an earlier loss to Gig Harbor’s Ellanor Nimrick with a 4-1 decision. Freshman Paige Powers also placed seventh by pinning Natalie Marcyes-Weeks from Auburn Mountainview in 1:34.

“This was an extra special day because of Olivia’s performance,” said Coach Griffin. “I know how bad she wanted to avenge that loss.”

Georgina Johnson (33-18) took a close 11-10 decision over Eastlake’s Rylan Miller in the 105 lbs. bracket to earn seventh place. Freshman Paige Powers also placed seventh by getting a pinfall victory over Natalie Marcyes-Weeks from Auburn Mountainview in 1:34.

Lindsay Shipp and Kylie Michalke were both one match shy of placing individually for the Seahawks but contributed to the team score.

The Curtis girls wrestling team finished in second place overall as a team and Glacier Peak came in third.

A repeat seems likely next year as Sonnen, Parker, Johnson, Shipp, Powers and Olivia Griffin will all return. “I thought we were on a two-year plan, but we are ahead of schedule. These girls are each other’s biggest fans, and it was just a fun season,” Coach Griffin said.