Lakewood’s lady wrestler Caldwell places 3rd at Mat Classic

Lakewood senior Keely Caldwell had a rough road to third place. Ranked nationally in the top 10, the Lakewood 125-pounder suffered an opening-round defeat before pinning her way to the podium. “It feels like first,” said Caldwell. “This is the best I’ve ever done.” Caldwell trailed Kennewick’s Hanna Moon 7-4 in the second round before pulling out a pin.

By Travis Sherer • February 23, 2010 1:57 pm
Lakewood’s Keely Caldwell escapes out of her opponent’s hold.
Lakewood’s Keely Caldwell escapes out of her opponent’s hold.

Lakewood senior Keely Caldwell had a rough road to third place.

Ranked nationally in the top 10, the Lakewood 125-pounder suffered an opening-round defeat before pinning her way to the podium.

“It feels like first,” said Caldwell. “This is the best I’ve ever done.”

Caldwell trailed Kennewick’s Hanna Moon 7-4 in the second round before pulling out a pin.

“I’m pretty good at not letting pressure get to me,” said Caldwell about trailing in a match. “I knew that I could keep going at her and win.”

Caldwell was one of three Lakewood girls at the Mat Classic. along with 135-pound junior Tasha Postlethwaite and 130-pound freshman Allyson Lawton, who both took two early losses.

“Tasha fought off her back against a couple of tough girls and Alyssa wrestled really well, especially for a freshman at state,” said Lakewood coach Tom O’Hara. “And I’m going to miss Keely. She’s totally coachable and every time we went to a tournament, I knew we were going to be there until the end.”