Reardan senior wins state wrestling title

REARDAN - A Reardan High School senior will be recognized in front of the student body after achieving what her athletic director called the pinnacle of high school wrestling-winning a state title in just her second year in the sport. She also made history as the first woman in Lincoln County to win a state wrestling championship.

Danika Bretz, a Reardan school senior who competed in the 170-pound division, pinned four opponents in a row after her first-round match to claim the championship.

Her rapid success is considered remarkable, as she only began wrestling last year due to a lack of other female competitors.

"She started because she wanted to give it a shot," Reardan Athletic Director Kenton Clairmont said. "She had some real success last year, and in the off-season, she started to do a little more training. She's a natural. If you can take state your second year of wrestling, that is the pinnacle of high school wrestling, and for her to achieve that with just two years of experience is unheard of."

Clairmont said Bretz, a 4.0 GPA Running Start participant, is both academically and athletically accomplished. "She's just such a good kid-really squared away," he said.

Reardan athletics hold deep roots in the community, Clairmont said, noting that there is "a lot of pride" in the program. "It is generational," he said. "These kids know what it means to be a part of the Reardan community, and they take pride in being part of a program."

An assembly to honor the state champion is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Reardan High School.

For coverage of Brock Gustaveson's second state title win, see next week's issue of the "Lincoln County Record-Times."

Author Bio

Olivia Harnack, Managing Editor

Olivia Harnack is the award-winning managing editor/photographer/videographer/columnist at the Lincoln County Record-Times, with offices in both Davenport and Odessa, Wash. She is a University of Idaho graduate and a U.S. Army National Guardsman.