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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Freeman, with seven in semis, in dominant position at State 2A/1A/2B/1B wrestling

Lakeside’s Dalton Young, left, controls Vashon Island’s Rodolfo Flores during 120-pound match. (Patrick Hagerty)

TACOMA – There’s no doubt the Freeman wrestling team will leave here tonight with its first state trophy.

It’s just a matter of if it’s the top hardware. The Scotties certainly left a mark during the first day of Mat Classic XXVII Friday at the Tacoma Dome.

Seven Scotties reached the semifinals and 12 of 15 will leave with a medal. Freeman piled up 98 points. Northeast A League foe Colville is in second with 68.5 and Deer Park is in fifth with 56.

Freeman coach Chad Ripke was cautiously optimistic after things concluded Friday.

“We talked all week about the ebb and flow, staying even keeled and not getting caught up with being at the state tournament,” Ripke said. “The experience some of our guys got here last year helps.”

Isaiah Crane (138 pounds), Billy Sims (170), Preston Hoppman (182), Markus Goldbach (182), Sebastian Hyta (195) and heavyweights Teigan Glidewell and Peyton Smetana give Freeman many chances for state titles. The Scotties have built a formidable road block in the upper weights.

Sims got caught in a scramble in the quarterfinals that appeared dangerous but he turned it into a pin.

“I just tried to belly up and get off my back,” Sims said.

Sims, an alternate at state a year ago, trailed 2-1 when he got the pin.

“He caught me on my heels early,” Sims said. “I wasn’t ready for him. It’s surreal right now. It’s been my dream since middle school to be here and I’m guaranteed a medal. Now I really want to get into the finals.”

Hoppman stepped up big for Freeman, but he’s been doing that all year as an underweight upper weight. Hoppman weighs 165 but competes at 182.

“Hopp sacrificed for the team,” Ripke said. “He said ‘whatever you think is best, coach.’ Those are the type of kids we have. Our big boys are tough. They’ve done their job all year and they did it again today.”

Ripke said his heavyweights will have tough matches in the semifinals.

“But they’re both winnable,” Ripke said.

The NEA is well represented in the semifinals. Advancing for Chewelah were John Crise (126) and Matt Crise (138); for Colville, TJ Baun (106), Tyler Ward (132), Ian Cox (152), Ryley Smith (160) and Ben Knight (170); for Deer Park, Seth Hoog (113), Tanner Jorgensen (132), Dean Lockwood (138), Jason Aebischer (195) and Trevor Eicher (220); and for Lakeside, defending state champ Dalton Young (120) and Garrett Brown (152).

Young, undefeated as a freshman, continued his unbeaten streak with two wins Friday. He wants to be a four-time state champ who never loses.

“It’s one match at a time,” Young said. “It was a good day. I felt good on my feet and worked well on top.”

2A

Six Great Northern League wrestlers earned spots in the semifinals.

They are: Spencer Clegg (113), Tanner Benton (126) and Dylan Beeler (220) of Clarkston and Logan Sundheim (125), Trey Meyer (152) and Kenny Martinez (220) of East Valley.

Toppenish leads with 51 points and Clarkston and Sedro Woolley are tied for second with 48.

2B/1B

With an eight-man bracket, the state’s smallest schools determined their finalists Friday.

Reardan, with three going for state titles, is in second with 57 points, a half a point ahead of Liberty Bell. They’re chasing Warden (76.5).

Justin Anderson (138), Michael Sims (160) and Josey Anderson (182) are in the finals. They’re joined by Reggie Jones (145) of Colfax, Trapper Askins (126) of Garfield-Palouse, defending champ Kain Feltwell (132) of Liberty, Ben Alford (160) of Northwest Christian, Blake Phillips (170) and defending state champ Lucas Rittel (182) of Republic, defending state champ Justin Chantry (113) and Cody Hoffman of Selkirk and Nick Anderson (170) of Wilbur-Creston.

Girls

Behind two pins, Amanda Gilliam (110) of North Central moved into the semifinals.