You can check out the Mat Classic XXIII brackets by clicking this link.

University took care of the first order of business in its quest for a State 4A wrestling championship. The Titans qualified 10, four of them champions, four of the second, to next weekend’s Mat Classic in Tacoma.

Its 2A counterpart, two-time champion Deer Park, did likewise, advancing 11 wrestlers, six as finalists, for of them champions.

Here are their stories:

Deer Park put all its wrestlers in the finals today - Blake Adams, Drew Acorn, Billy Rhoads, Brandon Leliefield, Cody Miller and Shawn Burton - to wrap up its second straight State 2A championship in convincing fashion. As coach Matt Jorgensen said yesterday, it’s all about putting people through the front door and when you have six it’s pretty hard to lose. The Stags have doubled the score in the field and will approach last year’s 167.5 point total before it’s done.

More than 130 wrestlers from this area converge in Tacoma for the extravaganza that has become Mat Classic. In it’s 31st year in the Tacoma Dome, there will be six tournaments going on simultaneously (with state gymnastics going on nearby). And I get to spend two 12-hour days attempting to keep track of it all. So rasslin’ fans bear with me this weekend. It is hectic and tough to follow. But we’ll do our best on little sleep and lots of adrenalin.

Here’s a preview story on Deer Park’s Cody Miller, as he and the Stags chase second 2A state titles. There’s more on all the classifications in today’s The Spokesman-Review

Regional wrestling is over. Next up is Mat Classic XXI in Tacoma Feb. 20-21. How did teams fare? Pretty well actually. East Valley in 3A, Deer Park in 2A and Republic in B appear to be the teams most likely to contend for state titles.

The Knights qualified eight to state and had six finalists in a region that included perennial power Sedro Woolley. The Knights won 169.5 to 168, so that bodes well. Neighbors Deer Park and Riverside combined for 19 state berths and with those numbers can be among the placers Republic had five champions and another finalist in a tough region which should stand them in good stead at state.

It seems, however, that most of the eastern regions sort of shared individual wealth. During 4A, things were pretty spread out. Moses Lake, with 10 qualifiers and its share of finalists and champions is returning to its glory days. University had seven qualifiers, three of them champions, but will be hard-pressed to challenge Lake Stevens. And Lakeside, with five champions at the 1A regional, is in the hunt, but might need more depth. Five state titles, however, is worth 150 points or so. And that’s pretty good ammunition.

 All told, 135 area wrestlers will converge on the Tacoma Dome next weekend.

East Valley attempted to get the most out of its Greater Spokane League wrestling match against Mead by juggling its lineup around. But the move didn’t work when Jake Trotter pinned Dakota Lawson in a match of the league’s best 215 and 189 pound wrestlers. Mead (6-1 in league) defeated the Knights (6-2) 42-29 and is still in the running for a league title.

The dual season wraps up next week. Mead finishes against Rogers, Mt. Spokane and Lewis and Clark. Unbeaten University (8-0) meanwhile still must face rival Central Valley (8-1) in the Battle of the Bone on Wednesday and finishes the next night against EV.