The Cashmere Bulldogs boys wrestling team turned in a tremendous performance at the Gut Check Invitational, held Friday and Saturday at the ShoWare Center in Kent. The Gut Check is widely regarded as one of the largest and most competitive wrestling tournaments in the Northwest each season, featuring more than 100 schools from all classifications and 32-man brackets in every weight class.
Cashmere more than held its own against elite competition, finishing third overall as a team with 131 points. Gonzaga Prep captured the team title, while Southlake Carroll (Texas) finished second. Sumner placed fourth and Lincoln rounded out the top five. Notably, Wapato—currently ranked No. 1 in the state in the 1A classification and the defending 1A state champions—finished eighth.
Wrestling began before 10:00 a.m. on Friday and didn’t conclude until after 10:00 p.m., making for a grueling opening day. The Bulldogs entered 16 wrestlers on Friday, with 12 advancing to Saturday’s championship rounds. Those competing on day two were Mack Pell (126), Marshall Pell (132), Kaiden Huber (138), Ty Cockrum (144), Andrew Ratliff (157), Kolton Weeks (157), Jance Novak (165), Zennon Cortes (175), Jacoby Tait (190), Grey Jacobson (215), and Ulysses Betancourt and Lizandro Sanchez (285).
The Bulldogs were led by junior Jance Novak, who captured the Gut Check title at 165 pounds. Novak defeated Raul Sanchez III of Wapato in the championship match by a score of 12–3. Sanchez was the state runner-up last season at 157 pounds, and the two are expected to meet multiple times again this season. Novak, the 2025 state champion, capped off an outstanding weekend with the impressive finals victory.
Junior Marshall Pell also had a strong showing at 132 pounds, placing fourth overall. Pell won his first four matches to reach the semifinals and finished the tournament with a 5–2 record, improving his season mark to 20–3.
Sophomore Jacoby Tait earned a medal at 190 pounds, finishing sixth overall. After dropping his opening match, Tait rallied to win six straight bouts before closing the tournament with a 6–3 record. Junior Zennon Cortes competed in the same weight class and went 5–2 on the weekend.
At heavyweight, junior Ulysses Betancourt posted a solid 3–2 record at 285 pounds. Mack Pell (126), Andrew Ratliff (157), Ty Cockrum (144), and Grey Jacobson (215) each finished 2–2 in the tournament. Tony Rodriguez (106), Kolton Weeks (157), Kaiden Huber (138), and Lizandro Sanchez (285) each recorded one win against tough competition.
The Bulldogs’ third-place finish against a loaded field underscored the team’s depth and championship potential as the postseason approaches.
Next up: Cashmere will travel to Royal on Tuesday for non-conference duals against Lakeside and Riverside. The Bulldogs will then host a SCAC double dual on Thursday, Jan. 15, at Cashmere High School against Naches Valley and Wahluke.
