EV Sends Eight To Mat Classic
3A wrestling
East Valley qualified eight wrestlers to the 3A portion of Mat Classic X in Tacoma next week.
But Moses Lake’s first-day performance was too much for the Knights, outscoring them 222-164.5 and advancing 12 to state.
Knights 141-pounder Brad Crockett continued his impressive tournament showing.
For the second straight week, Crockett won by technical fall - a decision by 15 points or more that ends a match - against every foe.
He and teammate Kevin Woolf, 122, were EV’s champions.
Woolf, in a wild finale, outscored Raul Mendoza of Sunnyside 21-12.
The score was tied at 12 entering the third period, but Woolf used a takedown and near falls to win.
Other finalists were John Sommer at 101 pounds and Justin Walker at 129.
Walker, who lost to Andy Soliman of Prosser in last year’s State AA final but beat him for the subregional championship last week, was beaten by Soliman in Saturday night’s regional title bout.
Also placing for the Knights were third-placers Jay Campbell, 135, Rusty Ruchert, 168, and Chris Dassow, 178.
Dassow lost in the semis by disqualification for a full-nelson.
Mike Manuel qualified fourth for state at 158 pounds.
Other locals qualifying were 178-pound champion Tyson Thivierge of Clarkston, Seth Morris, Blake Falor and Steve Rasmussen of Cheney, and Ty Roberts and Justin Demke from WV.
, DataTimes