Alex Schulz Deer Park Year: Senior Sport: Wrestling Weight: 178

Alex Schulz would like to graciously thank Troy Hughes for pounding on him this year.

Schulz wrestled 34 matches for Deer Park. Thirty-two times he won, including Saturday’s Class A/B 178-pound title at Mat Classic VII.

Hughes, the Mead High senior and Class AAA 178-pound champ, took Schulz apart twice.

“Nothing you do before state counts,” said Schulz, who won the title at 168 last year. “Wrestling Troy only made me better.”

Schulz was nearly perfect last year, too, but another Mead marauder - Seth Kernodle - beat him twice.

“It shakes you around, gives you a reality check and puts you back in the big picture,” Schulz said about competition against wrestlers in higher classifications.

Schulz’s older brothers paved the way to his titles. Carl won at 148 in 1993; Ray was the 158-pound champ in ‘90; Rob was a state runner-up; and John advanced to state.

This spring, Schulz plans to switch from baseball to track, so he has more time to coach children’s wrestling.

His competitive wrestling days are apparently over. Schulz said he will attend Eastern Washington University and devote time to studying physics or chemistry.