Abby Lees is plenty strong by herself.
But the Washougal junior knows there’s greater strength in numbers.
When Lees talks about her most recent wrestling season, the main highlight isn’t reaching the state championship match for the third consecutive year.
She beams when she talks about Washougal’s fourth-place finish in the state, the program’s highest placing at Mat Classic since 2010.
“With a team title you realize that it’s everything you’ve ever said and everything you’ve helped the other girls with,” Lees said. “It’s way more special to me, I think, because it’s your family.”
As the only local girl to reach a state final in the past three years, Lees is the leader of girls wrestling not only at Washougal but across the Clark County.
She is The Columbian’s All-Region Girls Wrestler of the Year for a third consecutive season. Over that time, Lees has grown from a shy-but-talented freshman to a respected role model for other female wrestlers.
“I want them to remember me as somebody who was humble but powerful,” she said “Somebody that they wanted to be around yet pushed them to where they could get.”
Looking to repeat as state champion, Lees won 170-pound titles in the sub-regional and regional meets. At Mat Classic, she pinned her first three opponents before losing to Issaquah’s Kacie Moorehouse in the final.
She is already thinking about next season, which she hopes will see her win a second title.
“I know where I can get to and I’ve felt the pain of not getting to where I wanted to go,” she said. “But now I’m going to take it a little more personal and go and get it again.”
But win or lose, there are few grudges in girls wrestling. It again goes back to having strength in numbers, nevermind the naysayers.
“Being girl wrestlers you know there are a lot of people that don’t like it,” Lees said. “But you all are helping each other and getting through all the people who are negative about it. Even when you’re not on the same team, you’re rooting for each other.”
That camaraderie is magnified with Lees’ Washougal teammates. In addition to Lees, Morgan Ratcliff finished third at 140 pounds, Christina Murray placed fourth at 145 pounds and Baylee Wright was seventh at 120 pounds.
Lees says the girls wrestling program has changed plenty of minds about the sport at Washougal.
“Before with girls wrestling, a lot of people at Washougal were like ‘it’s a boys sport,’ ” she said. “I think that as they’ve seen that we have gotten fourth that we mean business too and that it can also be a girls sport.”
Girls wrestlers now have role models in pro sports — think Ronda Rousey or fellow MMA champ Miesha Tate.
They also are earning respect.
“Honestly without wrestling, I don’t think a lot of people would know me,” she said. “But every time I walk through the halls, people see me and they know who I am. … So yes, I feel a little bit of empowerment.”
The Rest of the All-Region team
Annabelle Helm, Union, Fr. — Seventh place in state at 125 pounds. Regional and Clark County champion.
Hailey Horrocks, Skyview, Sr. — Fourth place in state at 170 pounds. Clark County champion.
Sierra Joner, Battle Ground, Jr. — Fourth place in state at 130 pounds. Regional champion. Three-time Clark County champion.
Christina Murray, Washougal, Sr. — Fourth place in state at 145 pounds. Big factor in Washougal placing fourth at state, it’s highest finish ever.
Morgan Ratcliff, Washougal, Jr. — Third place in state at 140 pounds. Won four straight matches at Mat Classic after quarterfinal loss. Regional and Clark County champ.
Baylee Wright, Washougal, Sr. — Seventh place in state at 120 pounds. Regional and Clark County champion.
