TACOMA — Nine is enough for Port Angeles wrestling coach Erik Gonzalez.
He will watch nine Roughriders wrestlers compete for individual medals and a shot at a state team championship at this weekend’s Mat Classic XXVII.
Gonzalez believes his nine have a solid shot at competing for the Class 2A team crown.
“We believe we have multiple guys that can go to the finals, and believe all our guys are capable of placing, we really do,” Gonzalez said.
“So if we can have multiple finalists and everybody placing, there’s no reason we won’t be right there in the hunt.”
Wrestlers with title aspirations include Tyler Gale at 106 pounds, Matt Robbins in the 195-pound class, Kyle La Fritz at 220 pounds, and Roberto Coronel at 285 pounds.
All have vast Mat Classic experience, with Gale making his third trip as a junior, and Robbins, La Fritz and Coronel their third visits as seniors.
Seeing Port Angeles at the top of the 2A banner in one end of the Tacoma Dome is the team’s ultimate goal.
“They know what they want, they’ve set that championship goal for two seasons now and they know they have unfinished business,” Gonzalez said.
“This team is more confident than any team we’ve had, and the ability is there and they are seasoned now.
“Most of these guys that we are taking this year have been there already and been there and done that.
“And honestly, they believe they can bring home the title, and I do as well.”
■ Boys state wrestlers: Tyler Gale (106 pounds), Cody Anderson (113 pounds), Ben Basden (113 pounds), Gavin Crain (120 pounds), Brady Anderson (126 pounds), Evan Gallacci (182 pounds), Matt Robbins (195 pounds), Kyle LaFritz (220 pounds), Roberto Coronel (285 pounds).
FORKS
The Spartans, last year’s 1A runner-up, are bringing an 11-man unit to the Tacoma Dome.
Even with the deep numbers, longtime Forks coach Bob Wheeler is a bit pessimistic about his teams chances for the title this year after a bit of bad luck at last weekend’s regional tournament.
“Until the finals at regionals, I thought we had a really good shot at winning the [state] title,” Wheeler said.
State qualifiers Garrison Shumack and Javier Contreras both aggravated rib injuries in their 132-and 145-pound matches, respectively.
Wheeler said each wrestler will give it his best shot at state.
“Javier was one we were really hoping we could get into the finals,” Wheeler said.
Wheeler is confident about sophomore Jack Dahlgren in the 182-pound class.
“He’s going to do well,” Wheeler said.
“He’s already beaten guys ranked above him in the rankings all season.”
A potential semifinal matchup with No. 1-ranked Markus Goldbach of Freeman awaits the third-ranked Dahlgren.
“Jack’s pretty realistic about it,” Wheeler said.
“If you want to be the champ you have to beat them at some point, so it might as well be in the semis.”
“He’s beaten all the other kids ranked above him, so Jack might as well beat him too.”
Forks heavyweight Miguel Morales also has eyes on a state title.
Morales finished second as a sophomore in 2013, and third last year.
Morales, who tips the scales closer to 220 than the 285-heavyweight max, brings a different skill set to his matches.
He’s also probably the only heavyweight wrestler in the state to start at running back during the football season.
“He’s quicker than all the heavyweights and as strong as most,” Wheeler said.
“He’s only lost one match all season and that was to Tate Orndorff, last year’s the 4A state champion.”
Brooke Peterson will compete for the Spartans in her fourth straight Mat Classic on the girls side.
She finished fifth last season.
“She has a real good shot at being in the finals,” Wheeler said.
“There’s one girl from Othello [defending champion Tatum Sparks] opposite her on the bracket that she will probably face in the finals.”
■ Boys state wrestlers: Sebastian Morales (113 pounds), Alvaro Ortiz (120 pounds), Alan Ensastegui (120 pounds – alternate), Garrison Schumack (132 pounds), Javier Contreras (145 pounds), Johnny Lua (152 pounds), Joel Mohn (152 pounds), Reece Moody Jack Dahlgren (182 pounds), Dimitri Sampson (195 pounds), Miguel Morales (285 pounds), Tristan Tumau (285 pounds).
■ Girls state wrestlers: Tristen Williams (105 pounds), Brynn Peterson (140 pounds), Brooke Peterson (145 pounds).
SEQUIM
Wolves’ junior Kevyn Ward hopes to continue his recent stretch of hot wrestling in his first Mat Classic appearance.
Ward has put together an eight-match win streak after taking the Olympic League subregional meet and a regional championship in consecutive weekends.
“He’s calm and determined, and I’m excited for him because I feel this is his best wrestling he’s ever done,” Sequim coach Charles Drabek said.
“I think he’s set up real well to get the first two wins the first day and get to the semis on Saturday.”
Kaylee Ditlefsen at 140 pounds appears to be the Sequim girls’ best bet to finish high on the podium.
She claimed eighth at last year’s tournament.
“Alma [Mendoza] has a good shot to place this week as well. They’ve both been wrestling lights out recently,” girls coach Bill Schroepfer said.
■ Boys state wrestlers: Kevyn Ward (152 pounds).
■ Girls state wrestlers: Kiara Pierson (115 pounds), Alma Mendoza (125 pounds), Kaylee Ditlefsen (140 pounds)
PORT TOWNSEND
The Redhawks return one wrestler, Shae Shoop, who placed seventh at state last year at 120 pounds, and also bring along junior Jackson Schott, a first-time qualifier at 126 pounds, to the Mat Classic.
Shoop is aiming higher on the podium, looking to improve upon last season’s efforts.
“I think his season has set him up well for this experience,” Port Townsend coach Steve Grimm said.
“He’s had some up-and-downs this year. A few set backs that have forced him to constantly try and get better this season.”
One of those setbacks came last week when he was pinned by Vashon’s Shane Williams Jr. in the regional final.
“Shae had beat him pretty bad at subs the week before,” Grimm said.
“But at regionals, the guy got a reversal and pinned him when Shae was winning in points.
“Hopefully that will get him pissed off and motivate him for state.”
First female qualifiers
Grimm also will take the first female Port Townsend wrestlers to ever qualify for a Mat Classic.
Freshman Ally Bradley will compete at 105 pounds and junior Chloe Rogers is in the 140-pound class.
“I’m so proud of the girls,” Grimm said.
“I’ve told them since the start of the year that nobody has ever done this, and asking them if they are up for the challenge, and they’ve responded so well.
“They are working harder than anybody in the [wrestling]room this year.”
■ Boys state wrestlers: Shae Shoop (120 pounds), Jackson Schott (126 pounds).
■ Girls state wrestlers: Ally Bradley (105 pounds), Hannah Welch (135 pounds – alternate), Chloe Rogers (140 pounds).
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Sports reporter Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-452-2345, ext. 5250 or at mcarman@peninsualdailynews.com.
