Haney wins state wrestling title

TACOMA - A Chiawana girl won the state girls 135-pound wrestling title Saturday, Feb. 19, at Mat Classic XXXIII in the Tacoma Dome.

Alanna Haney, scored 30 team points, was the only Chiawana girl to reach state. Her team points were good enough for the Riverhawks to finish 25th overall out of more than 100 teams.

Haney opened the tournament with a bye and then pinned Cassidy Sylves of Ballard in 1:51 to reach the quarterfinals on Friday, Feb. 18. She then pinned Amailee Niz of Yelm in 1:04.

On Saturday morning, Haney won a 6-1 decision over Analeese McAllister of Centralia, for berth into the title match.

Cross-bracket, Nicole Poussier of White River worked her way into the championship bout opening with a bye and then pinning Alonna Armstrong of Klahowya in 4:59.

Poussier won a quarterfinal, 8-6, over Cassandra Hernandez of West Valley (Yakima) and then her semifinal, 10-3, over Abby Varady of Cedarcrest, to reach the title match against Haney.

Chiawana's Haney won the championship, 5-3.

After the emotional win, Haney immediately began crying, first on the mat and continuing as she leaped into the arms of her coach.

She was presented with a bouquet of flowers and her family and fans gave her her cowgirl hat.

Author Bio

Roger Harnack, Publisher

Roger Harnack is the co-owner/publisher of Free Press Publishing. Having grown up Benton City, Roger is an award-winning journalist, photographer, editor and publisher. He's one of only two editorial/commentary writers from Washington state to ever receive the international Golden Quill. Roger is dedicated to the preservation of local media, and the voice it retains for Eastern Washington.

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