Islanders’ Howard advances to Mat Classic | Prep wrestling

Howard placed third in the 182 division of the boys wrestling 3A Regional Tournament Saturday, Feb. 13 at Hanford High School in Richland.

By Reporter Staff • February 16, 2016 12:22 pm
Mercer Island freshman Donnie Howard (top) wrestled his way to a third-place finish at the boys wrestling 3A Regional Tournament Saturday
Mercer Island freshman Donnie Howard (top) wrestled his way to a third-place finish at the boys wrestling 3A Regional Tournament Saturday

Freshman Donnie Howard will represent Mercer Island at the Mat Classic XXVIII Feb. 19-20 in Tacoma.

Howard placed third in the 182 division of the boys wrestling 3A Regional Tournament Saturday, Feb. 13 at Hanford High School in Richland. Howard beat Kelso’s Ricky Victoriano by a 3-1 decision in their third-place match. Victoriano initially eliminated Howard to send him to the consolation bracket, winning their second-round matchup by a 3-0 decision. It was the only match Howard dropped during the tournament.

As a team, the Islanders placed 14th, scoring eight wins and four pinfalls. Also competing at the regional tournament for Mercer Island were Jordan Tillinger (106), Eli Pruchno (113), Andrew Motz (120), Vinny Ricci (126), Jonah Andrews (132), Piljin Kwak (132), Blake Burton (138), Masahito Kemmotsu (145), Finn Childress (160), Connor Hill (170), Brian Wen (182) and  Russell Asmus (195).