The Prep Blog » Wrestling

Velarde becomes 11th wrestler to to win four state titles; Lake Stevens rolls at Mat Classic

Todd Milles — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 06:56:32 +0000

Great high school wresting programs in Washington seemingly peak high, have their run of state championships and eventually take a dip.

For whatever reason, Lake Stevens High School has shown uncanny sustainability – at least in the 25 years of the Mat Classic era at the Tacoma Dome.

Sweeping three championship finals only piled it on Saturday night as the Vikings captured their ninth Mat Classic championship – the most of any school in the state.

And despite being young in lineup spots – and possibly too nice, at least described by their coach – this was one of Lake …

Lake Stevens (4A), University (3A) shaping up to grab teams titles at Mat Classic XXV

Todd Milles — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 07:21:20 +0000

Nothing gets decided on Friday of a Mat Classic – the state wrestling championships in the Tacoma Dome.

But the team races have a tendency to shape strongly before the final two championship rounds Saturday – with the semifinals starting at 10 a.m., and the finals scheduled for 5 p.m.

Since the inception of Mat Classic in 1989, no school has won more championships than Lake Stevens. Brent Barnes’ group is looking to add to its haul of eight titles by taking a commanding lead in the 4A race.

The Vikings (84 points) have nine guaranteed state placers, including …

Harris brothers ‘set the tone,’ roll through their two matches at Mat Classic XXV

Todd Milles — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 04:42:44 +0000

First, the disappointment was replayed over and over in their heads in the 90-minute drive home.

And as soon as the Harris brothers arrived home from last week’s Class 4A Region I tournament for Yelm High School, they slipped in the videotape of their regional finals’ defeats.

Neither could recall the last time the two of them lost on the same night.

And they don’t want it to happen again at Mat Classic XXV in the Tacoma Dome.

Somewhat embarrassed and extremely energized, sophomore Darren Harris and senior Dillon Harris rolled through their first two matches at the state wrestling …

Winter state championships: All you need to know heading into weekend

Todd Milles — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 17:19:08 +0000

Greetings. We hit the final weekend of wrestling, boys swimming and diving and girls gymnastics.

If you are planning on making a Tacoma Dome run, my suggestion – and it is a good one – have a plan. So few options to park around the dome, but so many options in the surrounding areas. So few good places to each inside the dome; so many good places around it.

* The TNT takes a look at the defining moments of Mat Classic in its 25 years. What a run! Sandy Ringer, of the Seattle Times, did something similar …

State wrestling primer: Lake Stevens stalking ninth Mat Classic team championship

Todd Milles — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 18:19:05 +0000

MAT CLASSIC XXV
Friday and Saturday at the Tacoma Dome

Schedule: Friday – First session is from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Second session (including quarterfinals) is from 4 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday – Third session (including semifinals, and all state-placing matches) is from 10 a.m. until 2:15 p.m. The championship round is scheduled to start at 5:15 p.m.

2012 state team champions: 4A – Tahoma. 3A – Enumclaw. 2A – Deer Park. 1A – Orting. B – Warden. Girls – Sedro-Woolley.

The skinny: No school has taken home more Mat Classic titles than Lake Stevens (eight) – and …

Tahoma sending 11 to Mat Classic, including five regional champions as Bears roll

Todd Milles — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 05:02:54 +0000

With the state wrestling championships upcoming, Tahoma High School once again proved itself a power to be reckoned with as the Bears dominated the Class 4A Region II meet Saturday afternoon at Auburn High School.

Finishing with a total of 11 wrestlers advancing to state and five champions, Tahoma secured an easy team victory with 226 points, toppling Graham-Kapowsin (150, sending six wrestlers to state).

Despite the impressive display, the weekend ends with Tahoma head coach Chris Feist happy, but not totally satisfied.

“Ten being the highest and one being the lowest, it was about an eight,” Feist said. “I …

Enumclaw wins Region II wrestling title; Decatur, Bonney Lake crown most champions (4)

Todd Milles — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 04:48:57 +0000

Bonney Lake High’s Colton Tracy had always wanted to stand on the mountain his brother built.

Now it isn’t exactly scaling Mount Kilimanjaro – but for a wrestler, standing on the tallest step of the championship podium sure feels that way.

The Panthers’ junior was part of the South Puget Sound League 3A’s domination at the Region II wrestling championships at Bonney Lakes High School on Saturday. That league took home 10 of the 14 titles, and top seeds to next week’s Mat Classic XV in the Tacoma Dome.

By a little bit of a wider margin than last week’s …

Regional wrestling tournament: Nuts and bolts preview chart

Todd Milles — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 20:56:31 +0000

* CLASS 4A REGION I
Saturday at Snohomish High School

Leagues: Narrows 4A, Wesco.
Schedule: Preliminaries start at 10 a.m., with finals expected to begin at 4 p.m.
Mat Classic-bound: Top four wrestlers in each weight class advance.
Tickets: $8 for adults, $6 for students/senior citizens.

* CLASS 4A REGION III
Saturday at Auburn High School

Leagues: SPSL North, SPSL South.
Schedule: Preliminaries start at 10 a.m., with finals expected to begin between 3 and 5 p.m.
Mat Classic-bound: Top four wrestlers in each weight class advance.
Tickets: $8 for adults, $6 …

Yelm handles South Kitsap, ends Wolves’ Narrows League wrestling streak at 189 matches

Todd Milles — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 06:00:34 +0000

No sooner after word leaked out last year that Yelm High School would be moving up to Class 4A, Narrows League wrestling coaches started reaching out to Tornados’ coach Gaylord Strand.

They were not only looking for an ally, but a conqueror – one that could end South Kitsap’s longstanding dual-meet winning streak in the Narrows League.

His response?

“I said, ‘We’ll try,” Strand said.

And his wrestlers response? A convincing 47-15 dual-meet victory over the Wolves on Thursday night that not only sewed up the Narrows 4A championship, it ended South Kitsap’s winning streak at 189 matches – over …

VIDEO (and story): Light fixture falls on high school wrestler during match

Todd Milles — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 18:44:26 +0000

We have all been to wrestling matches, and seen this dimly-lit, back-room type set-up for high school wrestling matches … and wondered if THIS could happen.

Well it did – in South Dakota.

VIDEO: Click here.