The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WAITSBURG - The Matbirds have been busy the last two weekends - first hosting a Little Guy Wrestling Tournament in Waitsburg on April 5, then heading to the State Tournament in Spokane on April 12.

Above: Crowds filled the Waitsburg High School gymnasium on April 5 as 310 wrestlers competed in a Little Guy Wrestling tournament hosted by Waitsburg's Matbirds.

The Waitsburg High School gymnasium was packed on April 5, when 310 wrestlers, along with friends and family filled the bleachers. "The tournament went great," said Coach Kari Newman. "We had many volunteers to help and several people commented on the great concessions." Newman even received an email from a Naches parent who complimented the Matbirds and coaches on their etiquette, community involvement, the knowledgeable high school refs and volunteers, great concessions and the "beautiful display of the American flag and singing of the national anthem by one of your wrestling parents."

Four Matbirds placed at the State Little Guy Tournament in Spokane on April 12. Carlos Norris, 1st Place; Caleb Barron, 2nd Place; Theo Anderson, 3rd Place; and Gavin Gould, 4th Place. The wrestlers placed in their respective age and weight groups against the whole league - 1397 wrestlers attended the state event. Norris and Gould placed in the 11- 12 age bracket and Anderson and Barron placed in the 9-10 age bracket.