Must-watch 10 Washington high school girls wrestlers in the postseason, including 2022 Mat Classic

Five-time national champion Shelby Moore, of White River, headlines a list of impressive wrestlers that should be gunning for state titles next week in Tacoma.

With the 2022 Mat Classic tournament in the Tacoma Dome just 10 days away, SBLive is taking a closer look at the must-see wrestlers in the state of Washington.

After polling coaches and media outlets around the state, here are the headlining 10 girls wrestlers to watch, regardless of classification (ranked in order):

SBLIVE’S 10 GIRLS WRESTLERS TO WATCH

1. SHELBY MOORE, White River, jr. (130)

Even though Moore hails from a wrestling family, she did not immerse herself into the sport until seventh grade. But how quickly she has developed, and in the span of a few months, she won five national championships in both folkstyle and freestyle - in different age groups. A drill-a-holic who leads by example, she should join her brother, Nate (3x), as a Mat Classic champion later this month.

Quotable: "She does everything well - stand-up, on the ground and scrambling. And everything she does is technical and precise." - White River girls coach Jason Jackson

2. ALIVIA WHITE, Marysville-Pilchuck, jr. (190)

What a WIAA breakout party! White opened eyes when she dismantled reigning state champion Ofa He Lotu Tuifua during the 2019-20 regular season as a ninth grader - then backed it up by dethroning her in the 190 state semifinals (a bracket she won). But the success should not come as a surprise - this talented teenager was defeating high school wrestlers in open tournaments when she was 12.

Quotable: "She is crazy strong, picks up moves quickly and is a sponge for the sport." - Marysville-Pilchuck girls coach Andrea White (her mom)

3. ISABELLA MORALES, Toppenish, sr. (100)

First-year Alexio Garcia knows a thing or two about greatness - he was the Davis girls coach when Cameron Guerin went 126-0 in high school and won four WIAA titles. He sees a lot of that same unwavering confidence on the mat in Morales, a Fargo All-American who is tireless, fast-paced worker with some of the best hand-fighting ability in the sport. Won the Mat Classic title at 105 as a sophomore in 2020.

Quotable: "She trusts her training and does everything right ... and knows she can go out there and compete against anybody." - Toppenish girls coach Alexio Garcia

4. KAYLA MCKINLEY-JOHNSON, Federal Way, sr. (105)

Without a doubt, the shining moment of the last Mat Classic (2020) came in the first championship match when McKinley-Johnson upended two-time state champion Taylor Wilson, of Hanford, to win the 100 state title. And this teenager combines some of the best athleticism with combat-fighting skills there is in the state - and she has an uncanny ability to flip a bad match situation into an advantageous one.

Quotable: "It's her footwork and decisiveness on her feet. She bobs and weaves like a boxer, in and out of shots quickly - and she works througb angles." Federal Way girls coach Travis Mango

5. LIBBY ROBERTS, University, fr. (105)

When you learn to survive in the "Roberts Dungeon" - you know you can handle yourself on the mat. And the daughter of former All-American wrestler and ex-Oregon State University assistant Kevin Roberts might be the state's next star. She has traveled all over the country for competition, and as a ninth grader this winter, she has primarily wrestled against boys, including a fantastic showing at the 2021 Tri-State tournament.

Quotable: "She is really level-headed, from what I can tell. She is emotionally mature as a competitor, and has been up for any challenge." - University girls coach Kevin Roberts

6. SHANNON WORKINGER, Quincy, sr. (170)

Have the roles reversed? In 2020, Workinger lost in the 155 state finals to Kennewick's Ayanna Asselin. Now, both are seniors in the loaded 170 weight class, and this ultra-technician on the mat might be the girl to beat moving forward. The two-time Fargo All-American is not only in supreme shape, her arsenal continues to grow - as a high-pressure leg rider or an explosive pinner, from any position.

Quotable: "She is constantly open to new cognitive challenges in the sport, as well as all the physical undertakings." - Quincy girls coach Devan Silva

7. BIANCA JOHNSON, Moses Lake, jr. (125)

To say the that 115 Mat Classic weight class in 2020 was loaded is an understatement - and Johnson survived as a ninth grader to place fourth (losing to White River's Shelby Moore in a close final match). Two years later, this ultra-competitive Chiefs' standout wants to become the school's first girls state champion - and hang a photo on the tradition-rich wall next to all the boys winners from the past 70 years.

Quotable: "She has this focus about her, and is always zoned in. ... She is going to do everything she can to be that opponent." - Moses Lake girls coach David Peralez

8. JALIA WILLIAMS, White River, sr. (170)

Glance at any victorious White River team photo, and you'll likely see Williams' signature flex-your-muscles pose. It's fitting - there might not be a stronger or more explosive wrestler in Washington than this senior. So why this low? Williams isn't a year-round combatant, instead opting to compete in rugby and cheerleading. But when it comes wrestling time, she is a hunter ready to pounce on powerless prey.

Quotable: "If she focused just on wrestling, she would definitely be a blue-chip college recruit. A lot of colleges are still interested because she is so explosive." - White River girls coach Jason Jackson

9. ALONDRA MORALES, Royal, jr. (140)

A relative newcomer to the sport, Morales came to the wrestling room as an eighth grader primarily to get into shape. And not only did she lose 40 pounds, she has turned into a cardiorespiratory monster (she runs and plays soccer, too). And now the girl nicknamed "Little Monster" is starting to refine an impressive set of wrestling moves, especially from the neutral position with her quick feet and sudden shots.

Quotable: "She is a strong girl who likes power moves. She likes to put girls from their feet to their back." - Royal girls coach Carlos Villa

10. MARIAH HINOJOSA, Chiawana, sr. (115)

Two years ago, Hinojosa was a middling wrestler at Pasco High School trying to find her way in the sport. Fast forward to now - nobody can stay on the mat with her. And while teammate Alanna Haney (135) might get more headlines because of her bone-rattling style, it is this Corban University signee that has the team's most dominant wrestler, giving the Riverhawks a legitimate shot to win the Mat Classic championship.

Quotable: "She is on legs, she attacks both sides of the body - and she can throw. She has really come on." - Chiawana girls coach Shannon Stover

(Featured file photo by Vince Miller)