3A Prep Wrestling: Kelso girls win team title at Mat Classic XXXVI (Updated)

State Champs — Lassies edge out Peninsula for total points at The Dome

Kelso’s Kamiah Gaerlan congratulates Snohomish’s Malia Ottow after Ottow defeated Gaerlan in the 3A Girls 115-pound championship match at Mat Classic XXXVI on Friday, Feb. 21, at the Tacoma Dome. Gaerlan was one of two Kelso wrestlers in the finals, and helped the Hilanders bring home a team State title. — Joshua Hart for Blast Zone Media

By Matt Baide for Blast Zone Media

TACOMA — The Kelso girls didn’t have one individual win a State championship, but collectively, the Hilanders were able to earn their first-ever team title at Mat Classic XXXVI, Friday night, at the Tacoma Dome.

Kelso did have two girls reach the finals before placing second. Senior Leah Wallway, after not placing the previous two years at State, made it all the way to the championship match at 105 pounds before falling by pin to Sherwood’s Elisabeth Norton.

Kelso’s Leah Wallway (left) and Kamiah Gaerlan (right) faceoff with their opponents in the championship round of Mat Classic XXXVI, Friday, at the Tacoma Dome. Both Wallway and Gaerlan placed second, helping Kelso win its first team State championship. – Photos by Joshua Hart for Blas Zone Media

Junior Kamiah Gaerlan finished second at 115 pounds, losing by a 6-1 decision to Snohomish’s Malia Ottow in the championship match.

Gaerlan and Wallway are practice partners and best friends away from the mat.

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