Wrestlers compete at supersized state meet

Two Eagles placed among best in state.

The 2019 Mat Classic looked a bit different from years past with more than 2,400 wrestlers competing in six classifications over the weekend at the Tacoma Dome.

Lindbergh boys wrestling finished as a team in the No. 38 spot in the 2A with a team score of 28.

The Eagles girls wrestling finished 88th overall.

Renton and Liberty high schools tied with two other schools in the No. 53 spot in the 2A.

In the 4A bracket, Hazen finished No. 41 overall and the girls finished in the 140th spot.

The WIAA doubled the draw for each weight class, a move necessitated after a major regional snowstorm wiped out last week’s regional tournaments. Larger fields meant more bouts that stretched the plans of coaches, tested the patience of fans and pushed the performances of wrestlers at a prolonged mat show played out well into the night.

Lindbergh

The Eagles had two wrestlers place in this year’s tournament — Apelu Sellem and Katie Liu for the girls team.

Sellem in the 285-pound weight class went 3-0 through the quarterfinals.

In his semifinals matchup he fell to Sven Lukner from Sedro-Woolley before falling to Tate Elliott from Black Hills in a consolation semifinal meet.

In a seeding match, Sellem won by fall over Andrew Pottratz from Woodland to secure the No. 5 spot.

Liu placed eighth in the 100-pound weight class.

She started the tournament with two wins in the first two rounds before falling to Aaliyah Escamilla from Warden in the quarterfinals.

In her consolation round match, Liu won by fall over Julia Ragsdale from Shelton.

She fell to Kayla Rogers from Ballard in the next round before losing to Eliza Rodriguez from Sunnyside in the seeding match. Liu finished in eighth place, scoring 10 points for the Eagles.

Renton

The Indians had four wrestlers compete in this year’s Mat Classic — Olin Tiongson (126 pounds), Minh Le (132 pounds), Ben Olebar (170 pounds) and Jordan Jose (195 pounds).

Hazen

The Highlanders set 10 to the meet including two girls.

The wrestlers who competed at the Mat Classic for Hazen were:

• William Sirbu (106)

• Chinda Xayasanh (113)

• John Gonzalez Franco (132)

• Quan Ly (132)

• Carlos Crespo (152)

• Maxwell Whitney (160)

• Conor McBride (160)

• Jayden Hewitt (285)

• Katie Mendoza-Valeriano (130)

• Angela Ortiz (135)

Liberty

The Patriots sent six to this year’s meet including Matthew Nonis (106), Will Slaton (120), Nicholas Gumm (138), Jacob Lex (170), Tyler Robertson (220) and Carson Armstrong (220).

Lindbergh’s Chris Lucas. Photo by Vicki Maddy

Lindbergh’s Chris Lucas. Photo by Vicki Maddy

Lindbergh’s Devon Sanberg. Photo by Vicki Maddy

Lindbergh’s Devon Sanberg. Photo by Vicki Maddy

Renton’s Jordan Jose. Photo by Vicki Maddy

Renton’s Jordan Jose. Photo by Vicki Maddy

Renton’s Ben Olebar. Photo by Vicki Maddy

Renton’s Ben Olebar. Photo by Vicki Maddy

Hazen wrestlers at the Mat Classic. Photos by Vicki Maddy

Hazen wrestlers at the Mat Classic. Photos by Vicki Maddy

Hazen wrestlers at the Mat Classic. Photos by Vicki Maddy

Hazen wrestlers at the Mat Classic. Photos by Vicki Maddy