WINLOCK — Eight Ilwaco wrestlers checked off a season goal Saturday: qualifying for the WIAA 2B state championships.

Two, freshman Mark Ragan at 132 pounds and senior team captain Wade Smith at 150, won their weight classes at the District 4 1B/2B championships.

Also advancing were senior Blake Bell and freshman Colten Vandermeulen, who placed second and sixth at 106 pounds, senior Claudio Mendez, third at 132, senior Marcus Lynch, sixth at 215, freshman Chris Arnett seventh at 157, and junior Guadalupe Torres ninth at 120. All will compete at the Tacoma Dome Feb. 21-22 in the Mat Classic Tournament.

While pleased at the eight advancing, head coach Larry Kemmer said there were some disappointments as illnesses and icy weather curtailed preparation.

“In the original plan we were looking to have 14 boys compete in our state qualifying event,” he said. “As it happens, we missed three days of practice due to the weather. With only two days of workouts to prepare, it makes it very difficult. We had battled illness the last few weeks. This week it hit hard.”

Potential state qualifiers unable to compete at district were Sam Eakin (126), Ezekiel Sanchez (132), Alexander Valencia (157) and Zech Taylor (165).

“These young men would have been great contributors and in my opinion would have all been state qualifiers,” said their coach. “Sam, a freshman, has great potential to be a one to watch for in the seasons to come. Ezekiel is one of our upperclassmen and it was a huge loss not to have him this week. Alex, as a senior, missed his final chance to make the state tournament. Zech was a state qualifier last year, and would have been again this year.”

As a team, Ilwaco placed fifth with Forks and Rainier atop the podium. Two other Fishermen, Blake Eisbrenner and Austin Bullock, competed. “Both are freshmen with a great deal of potential,” Kemmer said. “Blake is a coach’s dream — he never complains and always works hard. Austin works hard and has come a long way in the upper weights, as well.”

As well as celebrating eight to state, the weekend spurred applause for Kemmer, who was named 2B Pacific League Coach of the Year. Kemmer is in his seventh year as IHS head coach, having served a total of 10 years with the program with middle school wrestlers and as the high school assistant coach.

Ilwaco girls’ chance to qualify for the state tournament will take place at Montesano next weekend. No IHS female wrestler has advanced to Tacoma since Serena Kuhn, who enjoyed success in her senior year in 2020; she is one of the assistant coaches for the Fishermen girls’ team.