Girls wrestlers prep for biggest home meet

Blaine’s inexperienced girls wrestling team has learned a lot through the first half of the season and is looking to put its hard work to the test in the second half. The team is excited for its biggest home meet coming up on Wednesday, January 22, said head coach Damon Higgins.

Most wrestlers now have a grasp of the basics and are learning to recognize the crucial moments and when to act on the mat.

“They are getting better every practice and every time they step on the mat,” Higgins said.

Just two wrestlers competed at the Highway 9 Girls Championship in Arlington on January 11, and Blaine placed 24th out of 26 in team score.

Taylee McCormick, wrestling at 115 pounds, won her first match by pin and lost her second. She won another match by pin in the consolation bracket. Rayanne Mutchler, at 170 pounds, won her first match by pin and lost the next two.

“Rayanne is in a really tough weight bracket. That area is filled with some really strong solid athletes and she is learning how to compete with them,” Higgins said. “She dominated in her early match. She learned a lot on the fly.”

Next, the Borderites travel to the Lady Hawk Invite at Mountlake Terrace on Saturday, January 18. After that, Blaine hosts teams from about 10 schools at the Scramble Championship at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, January 22, at Blaine High School.