Bruin wrestlers compete at state in Tacoma Dome

WHITE SALMON — The Columbia High School wrestling teams competed at the 2026 WIAA state wrestling meet on Feb. 20 and 21 in the Tacoma Dome.

State wrestlers for the boys included: Gio Ruiz (132), William Polkinghorn (145), Robert Grabb (165), and Razo Salazar (215). State wrestlers for the girls were: Eda O’Connor (120), Kiki Barkhimer (170), and Sylvia Pimley (170).

O’Connor led the way for the Bruins, beating Sophia Nordgaard of Stevenson High School 7-0 in her first match at state. O’Connor lost her next match to Priya Sangha of Meridian High School, 13-8, but won her next two matches in the consolation bracket, before falling to Okanogan’s Kiley Kaiser, 8-2, in round four. O’Connor finished 3-2 overall in the Tacoma Dome.

Grabb finished 1-2 in Tacoma, losing in the first round to Blaine’s Saihou Kanagie, but beating Liam Boling of Elma, 9-2, in the consolation bracket. Grabb fell in the next round to Grady Cuthbert of La Center, 9-3.

Ruiz, Polkinghorn, Salazar, Barkhimer and Pimley all finished 0-2 for the weekend.

The boys’ team was recognized as the WIAA Academic State Champions with an average 3.944 GPA on the varsity roster. The team was honored with a plaque, presented during the opening ceremonies of Day 2 at the state meet.