Kent-Meridian freshman Ofa He Lotu Tuifua, left, clashes with Mount Rainier’s Giuliana Pepe for the 190-pound championship at Mat Classic XXX on Saturday. MARK KLAAS, Kent Reporter

Kent-Meridian freshman Ofa He Lotu Tuifua, left, clashes with Mount Rainier’s Giuliana Pepe for the 190-pound championship at Mat Classic XXX on Saturday. MARK KLAAS, Kent Reporter

Girl power

Royals freshman makes history; Perez pins down title for Conks

Ofa He Lotu Tuifua made school history, Sabrina Perez added to it.

Both wrestlers came up golden with titles at Mat Classic XXX in the Tacoma Dome on Saturday.

He Lotu Tuifua, a Kent-Meridian freshman in only her third year of organized wrestling, pinned Mount Rainier’s Giuliana Pepe in 2 minutes, 45 seconds to capture the 190-pound championship and become the first Royal to wear a state girls wrestling crown.

At Meridian Middle School, He Lotu Tuifua was a two-time Kent-Tahoma League champion, wrestling against boys. The K-T League had never had a girl champion until He Lotu Tuifua prevailed in both the seventh and eighth grade.

“For me, as a freshman, it’s a big accomplishment,” said He Lotu Tuifua, who pinned all four challengers over the weekend to finish the season 31-4. “This means a lot. I’m really happy.”

Added her coach, Jesus Valdez: “She’s a heckuva athlete with a heckuva lot of heart. She’s willing to compete, and she came out on top.”

As did Perez, a Kentwood senior who overcame a serious knee injury that nullified her junior season, fought all the way back to take the 170-pound title, by fall at 2:50 over Highline’s Caylee Collins. Perez finished second in the 155-pound class as sophomore in 2016.

In doing so, Perez became only the fourth Conqueror to win a girls wrestling title since the state tournament officially opened girls bracket eliminations in 2007, when 112-pound Antonia Navejas – the daughter of Perez’s club coach – won the school’s first girls title.

Cassidy Meyers won the program’s third state title in 2012 at 118 pounds. Her sister, Jolene, was the second, winning the 140-pound title in 2009.

“This pays off for all the work I put in,” an emotional Perez said afterward.

Also, Kentwood’s Ivy Kraght (135 pounds) and Alexandria Sanford (140) posted thirds on Saturday.

The Conquerors finished third in the team race.

For Kent-Meridian, Sophia Leer was eighth at 135.

Elsewhere

Kentridge junior Will Sirbu enjoyed the ride in his first try at wrestling.

Sirbu, a league and regional champion, won his first match and wound up eighth at 106 pounds.

“It was fun, actually,” said Sirbu, who finished the season 35-6. “It’s new experience for me. I’m definitely coming back. I’m becoming a state champion for sure.”

At 152 pounds, Kentridge’s John Shores, a league and regional champion, injured his nose early on, dropped his quarterfinal match and recovered to finish seventh.

For Kentwood, Dominic Kremer (170) was eighth.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website http://kowloonland.com.hk/?big=submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

Kentwood’s Sabrina Perez, top, takes on Highline’s Caylee Collins for the 170-pound title. RACHEL CIAMPI, Kent Reporter

Kentwood’s Sabrina Perez, top, takes on Highline’s Caylee Collins for the 170-pound title. RACHEL CIAMPI, Kent Reporter

More in Sports

Graphic provided by Kent School District.
Kent Reporter Athletes of the Week: Kentwood

Dayna Vi (Jr.) wrestling and Brandon Tagle (Jr.) basketball take home this weeks awards.

Kentwood’s Jessica Ajayi dribbles the ball up the floor. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentwood girls basketball drops fourth straight

Team falls to Riverside for first time since 2017. Head Coach Jordan Nero: ‘We’ll find a way, we always do.’

t
Hundreds participate in Kent Christmas Rush run/walk

Seattle’s Nathan Morrisson wins 10K; Kent’s Travis Houser captures 5K

Graphic provided by KSD.
Kent Reporter Athlete of the Week: Kentridge

Genesis Miller (Flag Football) and Gio Moimoi (Basketball) take home this weeks award.

Veronica Garcia gives an interview after winning the 2A girls 400-meter final at the 2024 Washington State Championships at Mt. Tahoma High School in Tacoma. (Screenshot from Runnerspace.com video)
Proposals seek new rules for transgender athletes in WA schools

Other proposals target student-athlete transfer rules and girls flag football.

Tyanna Sims drives to the basket against Auburn in the loss. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Trojans sweep aside Kentwood in doubleheader

Both boys and girls basketball teams lose to Auburn in NPSL opening play.

Kentridge girls soccer surprised the three signees at Kentridge. Photo provided by @ETDPI on Instagram.
National Signing Day for Kentridge | Photos

Four Chargers offically signed to play college sports.

Graphic provided by Kent School District.
Athlete of the Week for Nov. 22: Kentwood

Nick Greutman (tennis) and Rowan Parsons (swim and dive) take home this weeks honors.

Kentridge senior Sierra Wallace dribbles the ball against Woodinville. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentridge girls soccer falls 4-0 in state

Chargers make round of eight for second time ever and run into Woodinville buzzsaw.

Senior running back Antoine Lee avoids a Trojan defender early in the game against Auburn. Ben Ray / The Reporter
4A NPSL all-league football teams announced

Kentwood’s Antoine Lee named Offensive Player of the Year.

Photo provided by Kent School District.
Kent Reporter Athletes of the Week: Kentridge

Addison Stendera and Riley Tricas take home this weeks awards.

Makenna Bennett in action against Tahoma back on Oct. 22 at Kentridge. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentridge girls soccer advances to state

Chargers make state for second consecutive year, take on Wenatchee.