Team Washington falls short of Greco-Roman national championship

A Team Washington wrestling squad loaded with Spokane talent fell just short of a Greco-Roman national championship Thursday.

Illinois clipped Team Washington 39-36 at the Cadet National Duals, a 16-and-under USA Wrestling tournament at the Spokane Convention Center. Illinois, a national juniors power, had three pins in the final three matches to secure the win.

Team Washington beat Kansas, Oklahoma and Georgia to reach the title round. Two Washington teams were in the tournament. The other fell in the fifth-place round.

In the title match, local high school standouts Braxton Mikesell (220 pounds, Central Valley), Chase Randall (113, Mead) were among the the eight Washington wrestlers who earned wins. The two went undefeated in the tournament, along with teammates Kenndyl Mobley (106) Hayden Drury (120), Robbie Vaughn (132), Gabe Hawthorne (138), Riley Van Scoy (152), Rylan Rogers (152), Weston Lyver (160) and Gage Cook (220).

The Cadet National Duals continue today and Saturday for the freestyle portion of the tourney.