Stags, Eagles on point

TACOMA – Deer Park and Lakeside (Nine Mile Falls) spent the first day of Mat Classic XX wresting as if they had unfinished business to attend to.

The Stags – second in State 2A last year – and Eagles – who took third in 1A – both have several wrestlers back who had come up just short of winning individual titles.

Wrestling with a purpose, nine Lakeside athletes pushed themselves into today’s state semifinals as they scored an impressive 94.5 points to lead Orting by 28. The semis begin at 10 a.m. in the Tacoma Dome.

“I can go with that,” said first-year head coach Troy Hughes. “But really, today (Saturday) is the day.”

Deer Park has five semifinalists and will medal a total of nine wrestlers giving the team a 76.5 to 52 lead over Blaine in the 2A tournament.

State 1A

While the Eagles have a couple of returning state champions in the semis today, 215-pound Dustin Baldwin and 171-pound Wes McAdam settled for second place last year.

Wrestling back to back as the day’s second round wound down, both let the memory spur them.

“A couple of us came up short and in everybody’s mind we don’t want to feel that pain again,” said McAdam.

Baldwin rolled to a 14-5 victory and McAdam followed with his second pin of the day.

“Last year I knew in my heart I should have won it,” Baldwin said. “This year it’s been about working your butt off and putting it all on winning.”

Joining them in the semifinals are two sets of brothers, freshman Mike Baumgarden (103), his brother Brian and returning state champion Jacob Lauderdale (both 119) and freshman Josh Lauderdale (125.

Kyle Johnson (135), a three-time top-three placer, twice as a finalist, gets his final shot at the elusive title; Reid Chivers pinned his way toward a second title opportunity; and Ben Fuson (275) joined them in the semis during a dominant first day.

Other Northeast A League wrestlers in the semifinals are Newport’s Daniel Swain (130) and Chewelah’s Russell Whitley (171).

State 2A

Deer Park has positioned itself well for the title push.

“I think we did what we thought we’d do today,” said Cody Miller, one of the five Stags still in the hunt for individual championships. “There were a few surprises, but the big wins were expected.”

Last year Miller finished second. Wrestling at 152 pounds, he dominated this time. His victories were by technical fall and pin.

“I think about first place all the time,” he said.

Joining him in the semifinals are teammates Drew Acorn (103) by pin and major decision; Levi Zadorozny (119) by pin and 4-3; Waylan Cork (160) 8-0 and 3-2; and freshman Shawn Burton (285) 9-8 in three overtimes and by pin.

But the day wasn’t without its pitfalls as half of Deer Park’s first-round winners were relegated to the consolation rounds.

Four, however, bounced back with victories to assure themselves top-eight medals today.

“We went 10-0 in the first round,” said coach Matt Jorgensen after the Stags nearly doubled the score on second place. “We can’t win them all, but we’re excited and doing well.”

Other Great Northern League semifinalists are Riverside’s Jacob (160) and Ryan DesRoches (171), who dominated, winning three pins and a 14-4 decision; Pullman’s Matt David (140) 9-4 and by pin; West Valley’s Justin Fiman (130) 8-3 and 4-3; Clarkston’s Frank Willis (189) by pin and 12-4; and Colville’s D.J. Hall (215), twice by pin.