Auburn Riverside Ravens won their final boys wrestling duel of the 2023 regular season against the Kennedy Catholic Lancers by a score of 47-24.
The Ravens record this season in duel matches was 8-0, the best in the North Puget Sound League (NPSL). Riverside is tied for most league wins with Kent Meridian which also has eight, however the Royals one loss came against the Ravens.
The Ravens met their goals coming into this season by winning the NPSL.
”It was what we expected, it was our goal from the beginning of the season,” said Head Coach Arthur Troncoso
It was senior night for the Ravens who had five senior wrestlers on the card, two of whom won their matches against the Lancers.
“It just leaves all our seniors with positive experiences from the season and it’s a fun way to go into the postseason,” Troncoso said.
Riverside got off to a solid start with three consecutive match wins from Parker Sheschy and Caden Metje, both winning by pin and Gibson Ayling won by decision 14-0.
Kennedy went on to win the next four out of five matches. The one Riverside victory during that stretch was Julian Davis, who won with a pin in the first round.
Senior Nate Pritchard broke the 22-22 tie and led the Ravens on a run that would carry them to the end of the duel. After Pritchard’s first round pin, a forfeit, and another win for Chance Hanson with a pin as well.
Pritchard finished sixth in state last season, this year he is poised to make another deep run “I’m excited, not nervous at all,” he said. When asked what he can do to make a run at the 285-pound title, Pritchard said: “More work.”
Shawn Kearny and senior Max Erickson put the duel away for Riverside. The two combined for a solid ending to a night that Riverside never trailed the Lancers on the scoreboard. Kearny won via points in an epic match against Jude Santos and Erickson broke the will of his opponent, winning with a second round pin.
The postseason is now upon wrestlers in the NPSL with the league meet taking place Feb. 4.
“I’m super excited, but also nervous. Things happen that you never expect but I’m excited,” Troncoso said.
