Wrestling Post Season: Small Team, Big Achievements

Tristan Sharpe (11) prepares his next move on the mat to pin his opponent. Photo credit: Mylee Hobbs (12) 

As spring approaches, the 2025–26 wrestling season wraps up. Despite having a smaller team than in previous years, the Cascade wrestling squad had a successful and memorable season. This year’s team consisted of seven members—three girls and four boys. 

Although the team was small, many wrestlers advanced to districts, and two boys placed at state. The team hosted only one home tournament, which took place in early January, giving the boys a chance to compete at Cascade. 

The wrestlers put in long hours to improve their skills and reach state-level competition. The girls participated in a smaller tournament in Okanogan before advancing to districts. Kat Kocher (12) competed in the 100-pound weight class, and Lizbeth Lopez (9) wrestled in the 172-pound weight class. Both wrestlers finished their season strong despite tough matches. 

“Districts were pretty rough; I went zero and two. Overall, it was a great season. I enjoyed the people there, and I dropped down a weight class,” said Lopez. 

The boys also attended districts, including Ari Poltz (9) and Issac Avila (10), facing challenging tournaments on their path toward state. 

“It was cool I got a chance to go to districts. My highlight overall was having a better record than last year,” said Avila. 

Tristan Sharpe (11) and Aengus Gillikin (11) also advanced through districts, with successful performances that earned them spots at state. Sharpe placed second in the district tournament. 

On February 20, Sharpe and Gillikin traveled to the Tacoma Dome to compete at the state tournament. Both wrestlers performed strongly and ended their season in the semifinals. Sharpe placed fourth, and Gillikin placed sixth. 

You have to have your head in the right place before those big matches,” said Sharpe

“We had fun hanging out and going to Red Robin. It was also cool that we placed, but we could’ve done a lot better. You have to have your head in the right place before those big matches,” said Sharpe