Aberdeen,  WA - The Men's and Women's wrestling team had its Blue vs Gray Intersquad this last weekend to determine a number of the varsity positions. It was also an opportunity to showcase the program going into the season.  There are many new faces with the team this season including Josh Pine, the newly appointed men's head coach. Josh takes over for his father Kevin Pine, who stepped down after guiding the team through two Covid seasons. The elder Pine continues as the women's coach.

Prior to taking the position at Grays Harbor, Josh was a product of wrestling for two highly successful college programs in their respective divisions. Pine competed under the tutelage of coach Dustyn Azure at Eastern Oregon University where he went on to become a academic All-American and a national qualifier in the NAIA division. Grays Harbor College also played a pivotal role in Josh's development on the mat. Josh was a 2 time NCWA national qualifier and 2018 academic All-American for his uncle, Phil Pine. Josh also boasts a 2018 Male Athlete of the Year award for Grays Harbor College after placing 4th at the NCWA National Championships. Pine was also a 3x Nevada state placer and State Champion for Palo Verde HS in Las Vegas,  NV.

This year Pine expects big things out of his athletes.  He believes that this years squad can go even farther than last seasons 3rd place national finish. The recent Blue vs Gray dual definitely showed promise for it was a highly competitive event with Gray team winning 8 matches to the Blues 7.

Pine and team have their first competition this weekend at the Simpson University Duals in Redding, CA and the women will head north of the border next week to compete at the Simon Fraser University Open in Burnaby,  BC.