Jason Gardner placed eighth at 138 for Naselle at last weekend’s state championships.

TACOMA — Naselle’s decision to reinstate wrestling as a high school sport was repaid by two keen student-athletes who gave their all at the WIAA 1B state championship.

Jason Gardner ended with a creditable 3-3 record, placing eighth.

The junior was one a cadre of students who pressured the Naselle-Grays River School Board to revive the wrestling program late last fall. The Comets had last hit the mats in 1984.

“I honestly didn’t think I was going to get this far,” said Gardner amid the noise inside the Tacoma Dome. “I had lots of fun. I am glad I got the experiences because, honestly, I had no clue this whole culture even existed. I wish I would have [finished] higher, but it is what it is.”

He won his first match 21-5 — his first victory by a decision — in a flurry of points scoring. A fairly even first period in the 138-pound contest saw the junior ahead 3-0 against Darrington junior Bryer Wesson, but Wesson brought it back to 7-5 before Gardner powered to more points to end the second 14-5. His opponent didn’t tire, but Gardner added more scores to secure the win.

Some short while later, the highs and lows of sports kicked in. Gardner lost his second match to junior RJ Aparicio of Grandview, also a junior, with a pin.

A day later he bounced back with a solid points win over freshman Jacob Gray of Goldendale, then advanced again when opponent Sam Jager, a sophomore from Republic, had to stop for an injury. His state run ended with two consolation bracket losses, by pin to senior Dillon Gassenberg of Colfax, then on points against sophomore Joseph Kruse of Okanogan, who placed seventh.

Gassenberg later placed sixth. The 138-pound champion was sophomore Yolo Paz of Liberty Bell.

“It’s great to see all these kids’ skills develop, from never stepping on the mat, to eighth place on the state podium is pretty impressive,” said first-year Naselle coach Chris Wood, pleased that Gardner will return as a senior. “I’m excited to see where he ends up next season.”

‘Strong’

Pania Baines, a freshman who wrestles at 190, powered out of the starting blocks, scored three points and grappled sophomore Sara Lino of Warden down for a pin in the first round.

Baines’ second contest, against junior Addison Cannon of Lake Roosevelt, saw her fight with a concerted effort but go steadily behind on points. The junior was leading 11-2 before she pinned Baines in the second period.

Baines rebounded and pinned senior Angelina Molinar of Tenino in the next round, before falling to sophomore Isabella Chapa of Omak, also by pin; Chapa later placed third. The 190 champion was sophomore Chloe Willis of Rainier.

Wood said as a first-year wrestler Baines has been very receptive to coaching.

“She is one strong girl, and I think she has just fallen for the sport,” he said, noting that she is considering signing up for camps to improve in the offseason. “She was really kind of quiet at the beginning of the season, but honestly I think it has been good for her as she has opened up more throughout the season. She goes out there and just dominates. She goes out there — and takes care of business!”

Wood is a 2019 graduate of Ilwaco High School who wrestled at 152 pounds and went 1-2 at state in his senior year,. He was assisted by Naselle Schools’ transportation coordinator Karl Smith, who wrestled for the last incarnation of the Comets, in 1981-1982.

Other Naselle students wrestling in the 2025 inaugural season included another junior, Carsen Bisbing, sophomore Caesar Garcia and two other freshman girls, Seven Tucker and Cheyenne Engelson.

Wood said he is excited to build on this year’s success. “They were really well-behaved kids — a great group of kids, and lucky for me I have them all returning with Romain (Garcia) coming up from eighth grade.”