CV Wins Another Title Spokane-Area Wrestlers Step Up At Mat Classic X

It started early and ended late, and along the way Spokane-area wrestlers wore a path to the podium at Mat Classic X on Saturday.

Ten won state titles, 57 earned top-eight medals and four teams won trophies.

The four-class wrestling tournament featured 896 wrestlers in 1,680 matches, played out before 36,036 fans over two days.

Tommy Owen of University started the parade, winning the 4A 101-pound title and it ended after Reardan’s Dan Eller went for the A/B 275-pound title.

The most dramatic win, however, was Central Valley’s. The Bears had back-to-back state champions in John Reese at 122 pounds and Shane Cunanan at 129. Both had major decisions, worth five team points each, to push CV’s team total to 95.5. Then the Bears had to sweat out the last wrestler for defending state champion Evergreen.

When he lost, the Bears had a one-point win in the same building they captured their state football championship in December.

Also winning state titles were Gonzaga Prep’s Travis Pasco (4A 168); North Central’s David Sandberg (4A 190); Lakeside’s Matt Westenfelder (2A 168); Kelly Jones of Colfax (A/B 141); Joben Muesse, Riverside (2A 122); Darrell Doolittle, Wilbur-Creston (A/B 178); and Sean Wheeler, Lakeside (178).

Gonzaga Prep finished fourth in the 4A team race but a pair of local defending championship came up short.

East Valley couldn’t defend its state title but edged Lake Stevens for second, well-behind Moses Lake.

Lakeside also came up short, getting beat by a Toppenish team that put seven wrestlers in the finals. The Eagles lost 183.5 to 150.5.

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