PHS Wrestling Sends Seven Girls, Four Boys to Mat Classic XXXV

The Peninsula Seahawks boys and girls wrestling teams competed Feb. 10 at the 3A regional tournaments for a chance to earn their way to the WIAA State Wrestling Mat Classic next weekend at the Tacoma Dome.

The South Sound Conference Champion Peninsula girls took third at the Region 3 tournament at Bethel High School and will send seven girls to Mat Classic XXXV, including Mira Sonnen (140 lbs.) and Bailey Parker (145 lbs.), who won regional championships in their individual weight classes. Oliva Griffin (100 lbs.) and Lindsey Shipp (155 lbs.) each took third place; Paige Powers (120 lbs.) and Kylie Michalke (125 lbs.) placed fourth; and Georgina Johnson (105 lbs.) finished in fifth. This is the second straight year Sonnen, Parker and Johnson will compete for a state championship. Michalke was an alternate last season.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the girls and what they have accomplished so far,” said Seahawks girls and boys wrestling Coach Gary Griffin. “The future is bright (for the girls program). They are blazing a fantastic trail for other girls to follow in our community.” Sonnen, Parker, Johnson, Shipp, Powers and Olivia Griffin will all return next season.

Sonnen (33-7) won the regional championship by pinning defending state champion Flor Parker-Borero of Graham Kapowsin High School in less than two minutes of the first round. Sonnen, who took third at the state championships last year, avenged three earlier losses this season to Parker-Borero.

Bailey Parker won each of her matches by pinfall and earned her way to the state championship, pinning Destiny Woodruff (Bethel) in 1:49. She enters the Mat Classic with a 32-1 record. She finished fourth at last year’s Mat Classic.

The Seahawk boys took eighth place at their respective regional tournament in Oak Harbor. Conference champion Justin Phipps (120 lbs.) also brought home a regional championship for Peninsula to earn his way to the Mat Classic. The senior won a 9-4 decision over Max Morse (Snohomish). This is the third time Phipps has made an appearance at the state championships.

Nehemiah Grandorff (150 lbs.) took third place, Joaquin Antoine (215 lbs.) finished in fourth, and Caden Wate (175 lbs.) got through with a fifth-place finish. Bryce Tillman (120 lbs.) and Marcus Reum (144 lbs) qualified as alternates.

“I’m excited for these kids to compete at the Tacoma Dome. It’s such an iconic place to wrestle in Washington, and every wrestler dreams of competing there.”

Mat Classic XXXV takes place on Feb. 16 and 17. Brackets and tickets can be found at www.wiaa.com.