Local wrestlers compete at state

The best wrestlers from all over the state travelled to the Tacoma Dome for the State Tournament, Mat Classic XXXII, from Feb. 21-22. Local wrestling programs that sent competitors were the Arlington Eagles, Marysville-Pilchuck Tomahawks, Marysville Getchell Chargers and Lakewood Cougars.

Arlington sent a total of five wrestlers, four boys and one girl. The Eagles’ boys finished with 29.5 points and placed 26th out of 61 teams, while the girls claimed 16 points and placed 42nd out of 120 teams.

Marysville-Pilchuck also sent five wrestlers, four boys and one girl. The Tomahawks’ boys had the best finish among local teams with 48 points and a 16th place finish while their girls scored 28 of their own while placing 23rd.

Marysville Getchell sent four boy wrestlers and finished with eight points to place 43rd overall.

Lakewood had three wrestlers compete, two boys and one girl. Their boys scored 14 points and placed 36th out of 54 teams, and their girls team was unable to score.

“We knew we were young this year and we were going to take our lumps as a team, but these four guys are putting in a lot of work outside the season and buying into everything we do. The State experience is big for them and shows everyone else in our program that you don’t have to be an upperclassman to get there,” said Arlington Head Coach Johnathon Gilbertson.

The Eagles’ boys were led by Dorian Tollenaar, 113, and Casten Tollenaar, 120. Dorian won his first two matches by major decision, 15-1, and a 7-3 decision, but then took his first loss in the semifinal by a 14-12 decision. He bounced back with two wins, pin and decision, to secure a third-place finish and 17 team points. Casten lost his first match of the day by decision but finished 2-2 with wins by pin and technical fall and losses by decisions. He placed eighth and earned 6.5 team points.

Tailer Cochran, 130, was the only girl for the Eagles as she opened on two victories by pin before losing in the semifinal. She bounced back with a 3-2 decision and lost in the third-place match to finish in fourth with 16 team points.

“They put in the hard work, I’m really proud of them and it’s been fun to be a part of their journey. We’ve got a couple of young guys coming back with State experience and that is huge to bring back to the room with their leadership,” said Marysville-Pilchuck Head Coach Marcus Haughian.

Cayden White, 182, and Austin Davis, 120, put on dominate performances for the Tomahawks. White ran through the tournament as he finished with three straight pins and took his final win on a 5-1 decision. He finished his senior year as a State Champion and 28 team points. Davis won his first two matches, major decision and pin, before losing in the semifinal by an 8-7 decision. He split his next two matches with a victory by pin and loss by 6-4 decision, placing fourth with 17 team points.

Alivia White, 190-pounds, took advantage of her first trip to the State Tournament as she won all four matches including two pins, 13-10 decision and a 33 second pin in the championship match. She claimed her first State Championship as a freshman and 28 team points.

“Our program is growing a lot, unfortunately we were unable to place, but most of our guys are coming back to improve and take another run at it. This is my best team I have coached here and as long as we take care of all the little things then big things will happen,” said Marysville Getchell Head Coach John Deaver.

The Chargers top two wrestlers were Jesus Cabadas, 145, and Erick Duenes, 220, as each of them scored three team points. Cabadas lost his first match by pin, bounced back with a pin of his own and then ended his performance with another loss by pin. Duenes started out his day in a similar way with a loss by pin before taking his second match by pin and ending his tournament with a loss by 7-2 decision.

“We’re young right now and we’re only losing a couple of wrestlers from our varsity roster. They will be a loss, but we have so many wrestlers that are ready to step up into those positions and make a run at this next year,” said Lakewood Head Coach Tom O’Hara.

Lakewood sent both Brenden McClellan, 152, and Keegan Bach, 285. McClellan won his first match with a pin, but then lost his next two by pin and technical fall to finish with four team points. Bach took his first match by pin, lost his second match by 5-2 decision, won his third match with a 12-1 major decision and lost his fourth by a pin. In the end, he secured a seventh-place finish and 10 team points with a first-round pin in his final match.

Torrie Blackwood, 115, was the only girl sent by the Cougars, but unfortunately had an off day as she lost both of her matches, 13-3 major decision and 4-3 decision.

With the wrestling season over, local teams will be looking to the offseason to reload and come back next year to compete on the biggest stage.