GH Newspaper Group

Montesano wrestlers won two championships at Vashon Island’s Rock tournament on Thursday, Dec. 29.

Montesano’s Austin Cain outdueled Lakeside/Nine Mile Falls’ Garrett Brown in a battle of reigning state champions to take the 160-pound title. Last year’s state 1A titlist at 152 pounds, Cain scored a takedown in overtime to edge reigning state 160-pound champ Brown, 3-1.

Bulldog senior Taylor Rupe captured the 285-pound crown by pinning Quincy’s Rey Rubio in 2:56.

The Bulldogs also had two runners-up in Jacob Ellefson and Kai Olson. Ellefson dropped a 5-0 decision to Vashon Island’s Luke Larson in the 126-pound final. Zillah’s Isaac Vargas decisioned Olson, 5-1, in the 170-pound title match.

Montesano fielded only an eight-man team due to vacations and illness.

“It’s a tough tournament, so (having four finalists) is a good showing,” Monte coach Jeff Klinger observed.

Elma also participated in the tournament, but those results were not reported.