Tigers edge Jacks in nail-biter dual match

Ephrata Tigers hold off late Quincy comeback to win 37-28 in front of raucous home crowd

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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In a highly competitive dual match at Quincy High School, the Ephrata Tigers defeated the Jacks 37-28 in a back-and-forth battle that came down to the final match. The Jacks jumped out to an early 9-0 lead, but the Tigers rallied with several pinfall victories to take the lead. Though the Jacks fought back, the Tigers were able to maintain their advantage and secure the dual win in the final match.

Why it matters

This dual match highlighted the intense rivalry and competitiveness between these two strong wrestling programs in the Central Washington Athletic Conference. The outcome could have implications for seeding and matchups at the upcoming district tournament, making this an important regular season victory for the Tigers.

The details

The Jacks took an early 9-0 lead after wins by Alejandro Barajas and Jayden Ortiz. But the Tigers responded with pinfall victories from Louden Leenhouts and Caleb Schooler to take a 12-9 lead. The teams traded wins, with the Tigers maintaining a slim advantage throughout. In the final match at 190 lbs, the Tigers' Danny Wurl held off a late charge from the Jacks' Anthony Averill to clinch the 37-28 dual win for Ephrata.

  • The dual match took place on Thursday, February 6, 2026 at Quincy High School.

The players

Joe Knox

Head coach of the Ephrata Tigers wrestling team.

Breck Webley

Head coach of the Quincy Jacks wrestling team.

Danny Wurl

Wrestler for the Ephrata Tigers who won the decisive match at 190 lbs.

Anthony Averill

Wrestler for the Quincy Jacks who nearly pulled off a comeback in the final match.

Alejandro Barajas

Wrestler for the Quincy Jacks who won his match in the 215 lb class.

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What they’re saying

“Every one of them really wrestled their butts off, I couldn't be prouder of the effort.”

— Joe Knox, Head Coach, Ephrata Tigers (The Tribune)

“They worked all week, knowing that we're going to have a great environment and a great crowd tonight, and just rising to that occasion. A lot of them fought through some really tough situations, and just like (Averill) put himself in a hairy situation, but gave himself the opportunity to get the points. I was really pleased with a lot of our guys.”

— Breck Webley, Head Coach, Quincy Jacks (The Tribune)

What’s next

Both teams will now prepare for the Central Washington Athletic Conference district tournament, which is scheduled for February 13-14 at Toppenish High School.

The takeaway

This hard-fought dual match between two talented wrestling programs showcased the intense rivalry and competitiveness in the Central Washington Athletic Conference. The outcome could have important implications for seeding and matchups at the upcoming district tournament, making this a crucial regular season victory for the Ephrata Tigers.