Tigers Cap Season with 2 on the Podium

Ephrata High School wrestling team finishes 21st at Mat Classic with two top-seven finishers

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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The Ephrata Tigers wrestling team had a strong season, with five wrestlers competing at the Mat Classic state tournament. Despite having to temper expectations at the start of the year, the team finished 21st overall, thanks in large part to top-seven finishes by freshman Colt Staples (5th at 165 lbs) and Peyton Woods (6th at 215 lbs).

Why it matters

The Ephrata wrestling program has been working to rebuild and close the gap with top teams in the state. This season's performance at the Mat Classic shows the team is making progress, with young wrestlers like Staples and Woods stepping up and leading the way for the Tigers.

The details

Staples, a freshman, placed fifth in the 165-lb weight class after controlling most of his placement match against Hunter Nicholson from East Valley (Spokane). Woods met Alejandro Barajas of Quincy in the 215-lb fifth-place match, but despite losing, he still placed sixth to reach the podium.

  • The Mat Classic state wrestling tournament took place in February 2026.

The players

Joe Knox

The head coach of the Ephrata Tigers wrestling team, who said the future is bright for the program after this season's performance at the state tournament.

Colt Staples

A freshman wrestler for the Ephrata Tigers who placed fifth in the 165-lb weight class at the Mat Classic, demonstrating strong leadership and a relentless work ethic according to his coach.

Peyton Woods

An Ephrata Tigers wrestler who placed sixth in the 215-lb weight class at the Mat Classic, earning a spot on the podium despite a loss in his placement match. His coach praised his work ethic and willingness to put in extra effort in the offseason.

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What they’re saying

“All the guys really wrestled hard, and I think they all did a heck of a job. Going into the season, we had to really temper our expectations, but I will say the guys really showed a lot of resilience, really worked their butts off. I would say the trajectory of the program is definitely going in the right direction.”

— Joe Knox, Ephrata Tigers Head Coach (Yahoo Sports)

“He is definitely a leader... the younger guys really look up to him, and he's got a really good work ethic. When he's in the room, he's all business. He's always working his butt off.”

— Joe Knox, Ephrata Tigers Head Coach (Yahoo Sports)

“I tell the guys all the time, 'It really makes a difference,' but sometimes I wonder if they believe me. If there's any legacy that Peyton leaves behind is, 'Hey, do the work, and you'll have an opportunity for good things to happen to you as well.'”

— Joe Knox, Ephrata Tigers Head Coach (Yahoo Sports)

What’s next

The Ephrata Tigers wrestling team will look to build on this season's success and continue closing the gap with the top programs in the state. Coach Knox is confident the team is heading in the right direction, but knows there is still plenty of work to be done.

The takeaway

The Ephrata Tigers wrestling program is making strides, with young wrestlers like Colt Staples and Peyton Woods leading the way. Their performance at the Mat Classic state tournament shows the team's resilience and commitment to improvement, setting the stage for continued growth in the years to come.