North Kitsap junior Emily Gomez capped her undefeated season by claiming the individual title in the 140-pound weight bracket in the 2A girls state wrestling tournament Feb. 22 at the Tacoma Dome.

Gomez beat Amayrany Rodriguez of Franklin Pierce in the championship match 13-6. She couldn’t participate in state last year due to an ankle injury she suffered while playing volleyball for the Vikings. During her freshman year, Gomez placed fifth in state.

Two Bainbridge wrestlers were also close to capturing state titles as seniors Garrett Goade and Sage Swalley lost in the championship matches. Goade lost 5-2 in the final against defending state champion Levi DiCugno of Orting in the 175-pound bracket. Swalley also faced tough competition in the girls 170-pound bracket finals, being pinned by two-time state champion Makayla Torres of Toppenish in the second round.

“Garrett earned his opportunity with hard work and determination,” BHS coach Dan Pippinger said. “Sage was dominant until she ran into Makayla…in the finals. She was the only wrestler in the tournament to get out of the first round against the eventual champion.”

Bremerton freshman Kailey Balajadia placed third in the 110-pound bracket. Olympic senior Kevin Hudson, who won the state title last year in the 285-pound bracket was unable to repeat as champion this year, placing fourth. He lost to Mason Perez of Othello in the semifinals, who Hudson beat last year in the finals.

In 3A competition, senior Deijah Diego of Central Kitsap finished second in the 130-pound bracket after being pinned in the second round of the championship match by Lilyana Lamothe of White River. Diego finished fourth in state last year.