State 2A/B wrestling: Four win titles from Great Northern League

TACOMA – For being at a loss for words, Logan Sundheim of East Valley had much to say about his state wrestling championship Saturday.

Sundheim used early back points to hold off Damon Thomas W.F. West 12-11 in the State 2A 138-pound final in the Mat Classic finals at the Tacoma Dome.

“That’s usually how I score most of my points,” Sundheim said of takedowns followed with a series of back points. “That’s the biggest part of the match for me.”

Sundheim then closed his eyes and put his head down trying to summarize his emotions following the victory.

“I don’t know how to explain it,” he said. “I’ve been looking forward to this moment for a long time.”

EV teammate Trey Meyer capped a 44-1 season and finished 150-24 overall. He topped Hunter Ferguson of West Valley 4-0 at 170.

Meyer, who is headed to Iowa State, was runner-up last year. He wanted one thing and one thing only this season.

Dylan Beeler of Clarkston defended his title, winning 3-1 at 195. Teammate Dalton Port won with a pin in 1:32 at 106.

Trent Benton (132) of Clarkston, Drake Ferguson (152) of WV and Michael Ferguson (220) of Cheney were finalists.

Five other Great Northern League wrestlers placed.

Toppenish captured the team title with 154 points. Defending champ Clarkston took third with 99 and EV was seventh (75.5).

State B

Ryan Issakides (106) of Selkirk, Kaleb Hafner (160) of Liberty, Blake Phillips (170) of Republic and Josey Anderson (182) of Reardan were state champs.

Issakides won 4-2; Hafner prevailed 2-0 over Michael Sims of Reardan; Phillips edged Ethan Landt of Reardan 3-0; and Anderson got a pin with 2 seconds left in the second period.

Phillips almost didn’t turn out this year.

“He owes me the medal,” his coach, Jack Hamilton, said. “I talked him into turning out.”

Phillips turned out two days before the deadline to be eligible.

“I don’t know how to explain it, but it feels pretty good,” Phillips said.

Hafner got a takedown in the first period and rode Landt the entire second period.

“I stood my ground in the third period,” Hafner said. “This was my dream, my goal. It’s amazing.”

Fourteen other area wrestlers placed.

Warden won the team title with 176 points and Reardan was third (117.5). Selkirk took sixth (71.5).