Sophomore Lifts Lakeside

2A wrestling

The babe among them got Lakeside wrestlers started. What else could the veterans do, but follow suit.

Sophomore 103-pounder Jason Nees recorded a stunning pin for the first of four quarterfinal victories by the Eagles, who are second with 44.5 points behind Mt. Baker’s 53 in a taut 2A Mat Classic after one day of competition.

They gained half of the eight semifinal spots that Great Northern League wrestlers secured during Mat Classic XII in the Tacoma Dome. “We didn’t wrestle a great first round like we usually do,” said coach Scott Jones before Nees took the mat. “We’re young and it takes awhile to get the jitters out.” The second round went better. Nees trailed 6-0 before he turned Sergio Avila of Kiona-Benton and secured the pin that got things started.

“I knew if I stayed close in the first or second round, I could beat him later in the match,” said Nees. “The harder you work, the luckier you get, I guess.”

On his heels, defending state champion Kris Matthews, junior Austin Laughery and 275-pound Chad Charbonneau swept into the semifinals.

The unbeaten Charbonneau was particularly spectacular, winning two pins in a total of 2 minutes, 14 seconds.

Second in state last year, Charbonneau said he is on a mission in his senior season.

“I didn’t get it done last year,” he said. “I told myself I’d never have a match close enough to let a referee decide it.”

Charbonneau also weighed in on Lakeside’s surprisingly strong state showing. The Eagles, two-time defending 2A champions, were replacing a wealth of experience and perhaps didn’t figure on such early success.

“We’re a really young team, but you’ve got to give all the credit to our coaches,” he said. “They prepare us from Day 1 to compete in state. Our goal coming in was to finish in the top three. If we keep battllng, we’ll do it.”

Joining the Eagles quartet in the finals are a pair of Medical Lake wrestlers.

Defending state champion Jonny Varona won by pin and in a surprisingly close 8-4 match over Vashon’s Alex Rudisky at 215 pounds. Josh Cruger won by pin and 11-1 over Hoquiam’s Justin Larsson at 152.

Newport’s Chris Bennett survived a controversy to defeat Othello’s Jeremai Hafer 9-7 in overtime. The Grizzlies’ 130-pounder trailed by three points late in his quarterfinal match, but was awarded a penalty point and takedown as time ran out.

He took his opponent to his back in the extra frame, then sweated out a protest before being awarded the victory.

Chewelah sophomore Phil Eggleston won by pin and an 11-4 decision.

While those wrestlers still are alive for individual awards, Lakeside remains the most logical team contender.

“We wrestled a lot better,” said Jones. “I’m proud of how we responded.”