Sports Roundup: Naselle, WV, Pe Ell teams among RPI top-15

Published 8:46 pm Sunday, January 12, 2025

Naselle senior cheerleader Audrina Muessig has been honored in the WIAA’s weekly athlete of the week program. The Naselle cheerleader was one of 12 student-athletes selected for statewide recognition.

Ilwaco girls wrestling

KELSO — The Braided 64 is the largest girls wrestling tournament in the Northwest.

The Ilwaco squad enjoyed successes from sophomore Bailey Womack and senior Keowah Iyall. Iyall ended the first day with a record of one win and two losses.

Womack won two of her three matches, meaning she advanced to compete on the second day.

One highlight was a contest with Evelyn Phillips of Republic-Curlew, who had placed second in the 130-pound division at state last year. Coach Frank Womack described it as “a battle to witness,” with an early double leg takedown that put his oldest daughter ahead on points.

“Bailey went out with the desire to win and methodically gained the first takedown of the match,” the coach said. As she used an arm bar to try to progress to the pin, her flexible opponent broke loose and gained control, he added.

Phillips earned points from a nearfall in the later rounds, but Womack battled to avoid a pin. Phillips concluded the tournament in sixth place.

The experience followed a trip to Ocosta earlier in the week at which sophomore Kaylee Anderson and Womack both won their two matches by a fall.

Up next: Next for the Fishermen girls are trips to Raymond Jan. 17 and River Ridge in Lacey Jan. 18.

Ilwaco boys wrestling

HOQUIAM — The Ilwaco boys wrestling squad celebrated head coach Larry Kemmer’s birthday weekend with success on the mat.

The highlights were two fourth-place finishes from freshman Colten Vandermeulen at 106 pounds and senior Claudio Mendez at 138. Both finished a busy Saturday with 3-2 records.

Two Fishermen placed sixth in their weight classes with two wins each, senior Blake Bell at 113 pounds and sophomore Zech Taylor at 175. Junior Lupe Torres had a couple of wins at 120. Freshmen Blake Eisbrenner (132) and Chris Arnett (157) and senior Marcus Lynch (215) also had one win each at a meet featuring many larger schools. Austin Bullock also wrestled.

“All in all we had a good day, with most winning at least one match,” said Kemmer.

At Ocosta earlier in the week, Vandermeulen again led the way with two wins and one loss. Seven teammates each had one win and a loss. They were Bell (113), Torres (120), three freshmen, Sam Eakin (126), Mark Ragan (132) and Eisbrenner (138), senior Wade Smith (150) and Arnett (157).

Up next: Next for the Fishermen is a Jan. 17 meet at Raymond and a Jan. 18 trip to Kelso.

Naselle wrestling

Naselle’s season began this month with a trip to Ocean Shores to wrestle against North Beach. Junior Jason Gardner placed fourth at 144 pounds; classmate Carson Bisbing also had a good day on the mat.

Up next: After a second meet at Ocosta, next for the Comets are trips to Raymond Jan. 17-18.

Naselle girls basketball

The Naselle girls basketball team went 2-1 last week, including wins over Lake Quinault (63-21) and Ocosta (52-21) before losing to Toutle Lake (73-29), bringing their overall record to 7-4 on the season.

The Comets, currently ranked 14th in the RPI among 70 1B teams, are in first place in the 1B Coastal League at 3-1, one win ahead of Taholah and Willapa Valley, both 2-1.

Up next: Naselle (7-4) will host Mary M. Knight Jan. 17.

Naselle boys basketball

The Naselle boys basketball team had their five-game win streak snapped in a 69-32 non-league loss to Warrenton, followed by a 52-41 league loss to Ocosta before rebounding with a 60-51 win over Ilwaco in the Bear River Battle on Saturday, bringing their overall record to 8-3 on the season.

The Comets, currently ranked 16th in the RPI among 80 1B teams, are in third place in the 1B Coastal League at 2-2, trailing Ocosta and Willapa Valley, both 3-0.

Up next: Naselle (6-1) will host Kelso on Jan. 16.

Ilwaco boys basketball

The Ilwaco boys basketball team won two of their three games last week, including two league road wins over North Beach (70-36) and Chief Leschi (64-53) before losing to rival Naselle (60-51) at home in the Bear River Battle, settling at 5-7 overall on the season.

The Fishermen, currently ranked 43rd in the RPI among 54 2B teams, are in second place in the 2B Pacific League at 2-2, trailing Forks (2-0).

Up next: Ilwaco (5-7) will travel to take on Raymond/South Bend on Jan. 16.

Ilwaco girls basketball

The Ilwaco girls basketball team won two of their three games last week, including wins over North Beach (66-25) and Chief Leschi (52-48 OT) and a loss to Forks (63-23), bringing their record to 5-5 overall on the season.

In the double-overtime win over Chief Leschi, the Lady Fishermen were led by junior Sophia Bittner, who scored a game-high 24 points.

Ilwaco, currently ranked 31s in the RPI among 52 2B teams, are in second place in the 2B Pacific League at 2-1, trailing only Forks (2-0).

Up next: Ilwaco (5-5) will host Raymond/South Bend on Jan. 17.

Willapa Valley boys basketball

The Willapa Valley basketball team won both their games last week — running their winning streak to nine games — improving to 9-2 overall on the season.

The Vikings first beat Taholah 59-48 before blowing out Lake Quinault 77-14 on Saturday.

Willapa Valley, currently ranked 10th in the RPI among 80 1B teams, are in first place in the 1B Coastal League at 3-0.

Up next: Willapa Valley (9-2) will host CAA on Jan. 16.

Willapa Valley girls basketball

The Willapa Valley girls basketball team lost two of three games last week, including losses to Taholah (52-41) and Toledo (43-23) before beating Lake Quinault (54-18), to climb to 5-6 overall on the season.

Willapa Valley, currently ranked 30th in the RPI among 70 1B teams, is in third place in the 1B Coastal League at 1-1.

Up next: Willapa Valley (5-6) will host CAA on Jan. 16.

Pe Ell girls basketball

The Pe Ell girls basketball team remains unbeaten after winning all three games last week, including Oakville (53-34), Wahkiakum (54-9) and Ocosta (51-21), improving to 11-0 overall on the season.

Pe Ell, currently ranked sixth in the RPI among 70 1B teams, are in first place in the 1B Columbia Valley League at 4-0.

Up next: Pe Ell (11-0) will host Three Rivers Christian on Jan. 16.

Pe Ell boys basketball

The Pe Ell boys basketball team fell to 5-6 overall on the season after losing two of their three games last week, including falling to Ocosta (66-50) and Wahkiakum (68-32) before topping Oakville (35-31).

Pe Ell, currently ranked 36th in the RPI among 80 1B teams, are in third place in the 1B Columbia Valley League at 3-1.

Up next: Pe Ell (5-6) will host Three Rivers Christian on Jan. 16.

Raymond/South Bend boys basketball

The Raymond/South Bend boys basketball team fell to 3-9 overall on the season after losing two of their three games last week, including losses to Forks (67-45) and Onalaska (79-67) with a win over North Beach (55-26).

The Ravens, currently ranked 42nd in the RPI among 54 2B teams, are in third place in the 2B Columbia Valley League at 1-1.

Up next: Raymond/South Bend (3-9) will host Ilwaco on Jan. 16.

Raymond/South Bend girls basketball

The Raymond/South Bend girls basketball team split their two games last week, including a narrow 58-54 loss to Forks before beating North Beach 63-17, settling at 9-4 overall on the season.

The Ravens, currently ranked 14th in the RPI among 54 2B teams, are in fourth place in the 2B Pacific League at 1-1.

Up next: Raymond/South Bend (9-4) will travel to take on Ilwaco on Jan. 17.

Naselle cheerleading

Audrina Muessig has been honored in the WIAA’s weekly athlete of the week program.

The Naselle cheerleader was one of 12 student-athletes selected for statewide recognition.

In the nomination, coach Blair Gray said her senior squad member consistently demonstrates exceptional leadership.

“She brings an infectious energy and pep to every game, motivating her teammates and elevating the overall spirit of the team,” said the nomination. “Her respect for coaches and commitment to improving not only her own performance but also helping others succeed truly stands out.”

She noted how Muessig always puts the success of the team above personal achievements. “Her dedication to ensuring that everyone reaches their highest potential makes her a role model for others. It’s clear that she is not just playing for herself but for the entire team’s success,” the coach said.

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