WINLOCK — Naselle’s decision to hustle to put together a new wrestling program late last fall has paid off. Justin Gardner has qualified for the WIAA 1B/2B state tournament at the Tacoma Dome in a couple of weeks. The junior placed seventh in the 138-pound weight class at the District 4 meet Saturday.

“Great news!” said first-year coach Chris Wood, a 2019 Ilwaco High School graduate and former Fishermen wrestler.

Gardner was one of a handful of student-athletes and parents who lobbied the Naselle-Grays Harbor School Board to resume wrestling as a winter sport. The Comets have had success on the mat in the past; assistant coach Karl Smith participated in the early 1980s.

Next up are the Comet girls. The squad consists of three freshmen, Seven Tucker, Pania Baines and Cheyenne Engelson. They will travel to Montesano over the weekend and compete for the chance to join their teammate in the Tacoma Dome.

“Hopefully we see good things this next week in practice and get to travel as a whole team for state,” said Wood.