MAT CLASSIC XXI AT A GLANCE
• WHAT: The state wrestling tournament.
• WHEN: Friday and Saturday. Matches begin today and Saturday at 10 a.m. The championship round is slated for 5 p.m.
• WHERE: Tacoma Dome.
• ADMISSION: One-day pass – Students with ASB, $10; Adults $14; Elementary school students $10; Senior citizens $10. Two-day pass – Students with ASB, $16; Adults $22; Elementary school students $16; Senior citizens $16.
• AT STAKE: The top eight wrestlers in each weight class bring home state medals. The top four teams bring home trophies.
• TEAM FAVORITE: Lake Stevens. It will take a natural disaster to knock off the two-time defending state champions. The Vikings rolled to last weekend’s Region I title, scoring 260.5 points followed by Snohomish (162) and qualified 13 wrestlers for state.
• NOTABLE: Tahoma, which spent much of the season ranked second, only brings six wrestlers, but has a solid shot at placing among the top four. Nick Bayer (171) won the title at 160 last year and is a favorite to repeat this weekend. Teammates Tyler Lamb (135), a two-time state placer, and Konner Knudtsen (215) also should vie for a title. … Kentwood’s Ruben Navejas (103) along with sister Antonia Navejas (152 pounds in the girls tournament) could make history this weekend. There’s never been a brother-sister state title combination. Ruben is among the favorites to win it all in the boys race while sister Antonia is an overwhelming favorite to win her bracket. Antonia Navejas isn’t the only Kentwood female looking to make waves this weekend as teammate Jolene Crook-Meyers (140) also is the favorite in her weight class. … Kentwood’s Cody Quinn (140) also could be establishing a new record as the program has never had a four-time state placer. Quinn enters the tournament as the top-ranked 140-pounder in the state. … Kentlake has never produced a state champion, but Austin Carrillo (145) certainly has a solid shot at placing among the top eight this weekend. … Auburn’s Jake Swartz (189) is looking to become the school’s first-ever three-time state champion. Swartz is 145-12 for his prep career. … Auburn Riverside’s Michael Turner (119) is making his fourth straight state appearance, but hasn’t brought home any hardware. Look for that to change this weekend.
— Erick Walker/The Reporter
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