Naselle head coach Chris Wood, left, gives Comet wrestler Pania Baines a hug as he and assistant coach Karl Smith, right, escort the freshman from the battlefield after her first win in the Tacoma Dome last Friday.

TACOMA — Naselle’s fledgling wrestling squad carried Comet colors to the WIAA 1B/2B state championships at the Tacoma Dome.

Junior Jason Gardner split his matches, winning by a decision in an exciting contest then losing to a pin.

Freshman Pania Baines pinned her first opponent then lost in her second match.

Both will continue their first state journey in the consolation rounds Saturday.

Naselle reinstated wrestling this year. It last had a squad in 1984.

• Look for a full report in Wednesday’s edition of the Chinook Observer.