Quick hits

Mat Classic XIX this weekend in Tacoma will include 18 returning state champions and several other finalists, although most are in weight divisions other than 4A.

That could be an advantage for Greater Spokane League wrestlers when they begin competition Friday morning.

“When you cut teams out of our deal, you have a completely different deal.” said University coach Don Owen of the drop to 3A of a number of former 4A schools. “A lot of good teams dropped down.”

The first round of competition will be telling. A Tacoma Dome filled with as many as six mats in each of six classifications of competition will begin with initial 16-wrestler rounds at 10 a.m.

But it is the 4 p.m. rounds that include quarterfinalists and consolation survival that tell the tale on Friday.

A preview about what to expect for area athletes will be in Friday’s Spokesman-Review.

WSBPA bowling

Last week was the official WIAA state bowling championships, minus Spokane schools.

This week, however, several area schools will be represented during the 41st Washington State Bowling Proprietors’ Association High School Varsity Championships.

Mt. Spokane, Medical Lake, Shadle Park and Rogers in Division I – and West Valley in Division II – will have teams in the tournament Saturday and Sunday at Narrows Plaza Lanes in Tacoma.

Nike Pre-Nationals

The former Nike Jim Danner Invitational cross country meet is changing names and sites.

Now called the Nike Pre-Nationals they will be run Sept. 29 on the same Portland Meadows course as December’s Nike Team Nationals.

Eighteen races will be run, including five varsity divisions for both boys and girls.

More information can be found at: www.nikeprenationals.blogspot.com or by calling Tim Tank at (503) 259-4780.

Flett tops 1,500

Samantha Flett of the Wellpinit Redskins surpassed 1,500 points for her girls basketball career during a 64-53 loss to Northwest Christian in their district play-in game on Feb. 23.

Flett scored 37 points in the contest, giving her 1,533 for her career.