Rosalia’S Thoreson Wins School’S First Title

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Chris Thoreson showed up in Rosalia just over a year ago and discovered a school without a wrestling team.

He left Tacoma Saturday night as the Spartans’ first state champion.

The sophomore who transferred from Kiona-Benton as a freshman, pinned Okanogan junior John Swartsel at 2:25 of the first period to win the A/B championship in the 189-pound class.

“I love the sport too much not to wrestle,” Thoreson said. “I’d find a way to wrestle.”

He drove 17 miles to Liberty every day to practice and the dedication paid off.

Swartsel, who had a 19-1 record - plus a state football championship for confidence - got a takedown late in first period. Thoreson chose to give Swartsel a free escape point to start the second before a rapid takedown turned into a quick pin with a head-and-arm move.

“I was confident enough to let him up,” he said. “I knew I could take him down and stick him.”

Thoreson, who finished with a 31-3 record, had pins in 1:41 and 4:33 on Friday and an 11-5 win in the semifinals against Jake Trovillo, one of the wrestlers who beat him this year.

He also lost to Justin Ziebell of Ritzville, who finished fourth at 171. Ziebell, Drew Markum who was third at 145 and Nick Portney, fifth at 152, helped Ritzville finish seventh, the top spot for a B school.

The Broncos were led by 135-pound champion Dustin Breazeale, who whipped Julian Lopez of Zillah 16-4 to finish 33-1.

“I wrestled him early this year,” Breazeale said. “I was confident but scared. You can’t be (overconfident), he’s too good of a thrower.”

With three takedowns, two after allowing intentional escapes, gave Breazeale a 6-2 lead after one period and he was never threatened.

“What can I say? I’m speechless,” Breazeale said. “All the hard work paid off. You can’t ask for much more.”

“He’s been the heart and soul of two athletic programs for quite awhile,” Ritzville coach Mike Lynch said.

Lynch also is the football coach and Breazeale was a two-way all-league player for a playoff team at running back and linebacker.

“We’re the best B school up there,” Breazeale said. “We had six guys here and four placed. We have 20 guys out for wrestling. Most of those (teams) up there have that many go to regionals.”

There was one shocker as Almira/CouleeHartline’s Craig Winona failed to defend his title at 171 pounds. Winona, who finished 36-3, lost to 28-1 Sean Shannon of Winlock 3-2.

Two semifinalists overlooked Friday were Jason Thomas of ACH and James Miller of Liberty. Both lost but came back to finish fifth (at 130) and fourth (at 119), respectively.

Zillah set a record by winning the team title with 226 points. Blaine had 217 points in 1990.

Spokane-area schools brought over 39 wrestlers. Twenty of them placed in the top eight.