Federal Way Spartan wrestlers perform well at tourament

The Federal Way Spartans wrestled at the competitive Northwest Ultimate Wrestler Championships for ages 5-15 last weekend.

Bringing only 13 wrestlers, half of whom were first-time wrestlers, the Spartans placed fifth out of over 61 teams. Five were crowned champions. Individual placement results are below:

Payton Graveline, Kai`Vone Cooks, Julian Clemans, Kingslee Jordan and Kayla McKinley-Johnson took first place at the tournament. Ace Carpio and Navarre Dixon placed second. Jeiza Dixon and McKinley-Johnson, competing in the boys division, placed third. Tristan Guarnes and Adrian Ulugaono placed fourth.

McKinley-Johnson, who attends Sacajawea Middle School, wrestled a total of eight matches — four boys and four girls — with most of her matches being back to back without rest. She finished the day as the girl’s division champion. She is the returning Washington USA State Champion.

Dixon and Carpio made their Washington USA circuit wrestling debut at this event. Dixon has two older siblings who were both USA All-Americans and high school WIAA State Finalists. Jarrod Dixon, her oldest brother, was last year’s high school WIAA State Champion. Vanessa Dixon, her sister, currently wrestlers at Menlo College in California.

Carpio’s three older siblings — Auna, Arian and Ares — were also USA All-Americans and high school WIAA state finalists. Ares and Arian were both high school WIAA State Champions. Ares was a four-time starter and D1 NCAA national qualifier for Arizona State University. Arian, who also attends Arizona State University, was ranked fourth in the senior level of the USA Women’s Division last spring.