TACOMA — Results were a mixed bag for North Olympic Peninsula wrestlers after today’s (Friday’s) opening session at Mat Classic XXVIII, the state wrestling tournament at the Tacoma Dome.
The 21 boys and girls grapplers competing at the dome went a combined 9-12 in the opening round.
Forks splits 10 matches
Forks, with the largest contingent of 10 boys, went 5-5 in the first round.
Josue Lucas, a freshman wrestling in the 106-pound bracket, opened his Mat Classic career with a pin just two seconds from the end of the first round. He will face another freshman, Colville’s Trevor Morrison in the quarterfinals.
Alvaro Ortiz, a senior looking for his third-straight medal at state, pinned Klahowya’s Mason Clark 2:44 into his initial 113-pound match. Ortiz will wrestle Manuel Cisneros-Vargas in the quarterfinals.
Joel Mohn, a senior in his third trip to state for the Spartans, pinned Omak’s Tyson Sundust at 3:33 of their 160-pound match. Mohn will take on Sultan’s Cory Martinez in the quarterfinals.
Jack Dahlgren (182 pounds) picked up a quick pin at 1:20 against River View’s Devin Roberts.
Dahlgren, third at state as a sophomore, can book another semifinal trip with a win against Sultan’s Tanner Belcher.
Forks’ heavyweight, Tristan Tumaua, won 8-6 against Deer Park’s Gabe Sanchez. He wrestles Nooksack Valley’s Tyson Mergel this afternoon.
Losing their opening round matches for Forks were: Garrison Schumack (138 pounds), Gavin Palmer (145), Joseph Mariner (152) and Kenny Gale and Jonny Lua-Ceja (170).
They’ll need to win this afternoon to avoid elimination.
Sequim boys 1-3
Sequim’s Kevyn Ward was the lone Wolves wrestler to move on to the quarterfinals when he gutted out a 12-7 win against Aberdeen’s Connor Horton.
He’ll wrestle Selah’s Aaron Pimental in the quarterfinals.
Craig Baker (132 pounds), Adrian Klarich (182) and Michael Latimer (220) all lost their openers and will wrestle in the consolation brackets.
Sequim girls 1-1
Sophomore Kiara Pierson took care of business in her opener, outpointing Nichole Whitten of Nooksack Valley 10-4. If she wins against Quincy’s Kateri Rowell in the quarterfinals, PIerson is assured of her second state place in as many years.
Sequim’s Alma Mendoza drew a defending state champion in Pasco’s Hailey Hall in her opening match. Mendoza was injured during her 7-0 loss to Hall, but came back to close out the match.
Port Angeles 1-2
Roughrider 113-pound senior Tyler Gale picked up his 40th win on the season (40-2) by blitzing past Othello’s Ben Garza for a 16-0 technical fall victory.
Gale also received a bit of good luck, according to his dad, Port Angeles assistant Rob Gale.
Gale said that Orting’s Chrys Cenkush was pinned while up 13-2 on WF West’s Levi Walters.
If Tyler Gale can get past Walters, he will be assured of his fourth state medal.
Ben Basden (37-6) wasn’t so lucky for the Riders in his 126-pound match. He was taken out 11-1 by Foster’s Luis Cuellar.
Morgan Mower, sporting a buzz-cut mohawk, also lost in the first round, 10-0 to highly-ranked Logan Sundheim of East Valley.
Port Townsend 1-1
Chloe Rogers, the runner-up at 140 pounds at last year’s Mat Classic, dominated Lakeside’s Josie Laing in her opening match.
Rogers nearly picked up pins in the first and second rounds before coming through with a clean pin at 4:39.
She will wrestle Kaylee Martinez of Othello in the quarterfinals.
The Redhawks’ Cody McClain was taken out 6-2 by Kiona-Benton’s Anthoy Llernas in his first-ever state match.
For instant updates on Mat Classic XXVIII follow Peninsula Daily News sports reporter Michael Carman on Twitter @MikeCarmanPDN.
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Sports reporter Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-452-2345, ext. 57050 or at mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.
