Stay calm and focused and good things will happen.

That’s what works for Redmond High senior wrestler Nick Kaneko, and it’s paid off big time for him this season as he sported a 12-0 record at 195 pounds at press time. Clean sheets were also in the hands of seniors Judah Dorsey (13-0 at 138) and Nadia Medvinsky (9-0 at 145).

The Mustangs were also untouched record-wise as they had a 2-0 3A KingCo mark and 10-0 overall mark firmly in their grasp at press time. There have been plenty of pins and stellar performances on the mat.

“It’s been a pretty amazing season so far,” Kaneko said. “I think I’ve actually remained calmer this season and coaches have been very good at sticking to moves that I’m more comfortable with.”

Kaneko said he gives his opponent the once-over to see where the match may take them.

“Even before the ref blows the whistle, I step out there and see what he’s gonna go for and just know what I’m gonna play off of based on his motion, his stance,” he said.

Other Mustang standouts are freshmen Carson Lui (152), Zack Mayo (113), Maria Pesoa (100) and Molly Williams (110) and sophomores Jeremy Hernandez (145), Alex Ayala (132) and Tiger McDaniel (105). Senior Gabby McDaniel (140) and her sister Tiger follow in the footsteps of Madi McDaniel, their older sibling who qualified for state last year and has since graduated.

Senior stalwart Luke Kennedy was scheduled to make his return to the mat last night during a triple dual at Edmonds Woodway. The 182-pounder was cleared to compete after sitting out on concussion protocol following football season.

Head coach Robert Kaneko is pleased with his squad’s performance so far and notes there are a handful of wrestlers who possess solid work ethics by weightlifting then plowing through a two-hour team practice and then working on their moves at home.

Dorsey has attended camps in both Redmond and in his home state of Indiana, and coach Kaneko said the Mustang wrestled “lights out” to earn the title in his weight class at the Barry Knott Memorial Invitational at Nathan Hale.

“He’s got a very clear focus, he’s got a goal of wrestling on the floor at the Tacoma Dome (state),” coach Kaneko said.

Nick Kaneko also won his weight class at Hale and Medvinsky won a title at the Lynden Tournament.

“She’s looking really strong. She’s something special,” coach Kaneko said of his third-place finisher at last year’s 4A state tourney. Medvinsky has defeated both girls and boys this season.

Williams and Tiger McDaniel also placed second in their weight classes at Lynden, and coach Kaneko feels those two along with Medvinsky could place at state.

“I’m always nervous before matches, but as soon as I step onto the mat, it just all leaves me. I’m ready to wrestle,” said Williams, who is focused on moves she’s learned at practice like snapdowns, simple pins and halves.

Her dad, a former high school grappler, got her into the sport, first by play wrestling around the house and then it transitioned into her getting onto the mat three years ago.

One of Redmond’s top newcomers is Lui, who has put in an “astonishing performance as a freshman,” said coach Kaneko, noting that the young Mustang is strong, intense and dedicated to his craft. Liu put in a solid showing in his first loss of the season at Hale at the hands of a three-time Tahoma state placer. Tahoma’s coach was impressed with Liu and told coach Kaneko that he’s got a good one on board.