WRESTLING REGIONALS

Region 4 4A

Dates and site: Friday 7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. at University High School.

Last year’s finish: East Valley, University, Moses Lake.

At stake: Top four finishers qualify for Mat Classic.

Returning champions: Seniors Cory Fish (U-Hi), 119, state champion at 103 in 2004; Nate Powell (Lewis and Clark), 125, 4th at state 2002, 3rd at state 2004; Jeremy Montang (U-Hi), 140, 3rd in state at 130, 2004; Kyle Yonago (Ferris), 140, state champion, 2004; Neil Didier (Mead), 152, 4th in state, 2004.

Outlook: U-Hi will be heavily favored based on its overwhelming district performance, and the GSL in general should do well. Nineteen Titans qualified for regionals, with nine champions and 12 top-two seeds. The GSL brings back four regional champions, 15 state qualifiers (eight placers) and 17 top-six regional placers. The Big Nine Conference has 15 top-six regional wrestlers back, seven of them state qualifiers.

Region 4 3A

Date and site: Saturday 10 a.m. at Ellensburg High.

At stake: Top four finishers qualify for Mat Classic.

Last year’s finish: Clarkston, Ellensburg, Sunnyside.

Returning champions: Devan Stelter-Moorman (West Valley-Yakima), 112, 2nd in state 2004 at 103; Steve Sanchez (Sunnyside), 119, 6th at state 2004, 112; Fred Arnold (East Valley), 160, 7th in state (4A).

Outlook: EV and North Central are new to 3A this year and certain to make inroads. EV advanced 15 wrestlers, including state veterans Jared Imes, Drew Beaudoin and Arnold, as well as 4A regional placers Joey Plumb, Bryce Fisher and Jordan Jolley. The Knights will join W.F. West from Chehalis as team favorites. NC has seven entrants, including 4A state third-placer Derek Brown.

Region 4 2A

Dates and site: Friday 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. at Deer Park

At stake: Top two finishers qualify for Mat Classic.

Last year’s finish: Medical Lake, Lakeside-Nine Mile Falls, Colville.

Returning champions: Levi Jones (Lakeside), 125, 2nd state 2003, 112; Ray Hodge (Riverside), 140; Matt Dinsmore (Lakeside), 145; Brad Groce (ML), 152; Jon Millard (Lakeside), 160; Nick Mahugh (Colville), 189.

Outlook: Twenty-six state qualifiers, 15 of them placers, return for another shot this weekend, including eight from ML, five from Lakeside, and four each from Colville and Riverside. Included are 10 who qualified as third-place regional finishers last year. Only the top two per weight – 28 in all – advance this year.

Region 4 1A/B

Dates and site: Friday 3 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. at Reardan High

At stake: Six per weight qualify for Mat Classic.

Last year’s finish: Tonasket, Liberty Bell, Colfax.

Returning champions: Brice Williams (Liberty), Kevin Mitchell (Tonasket), Ross Villegas (Oroville), Maverick Port (Liberty Bell).

Outlook: Twenty-five state placers return to this regional field, including defending 275-pound champion Mic Goad from Springdale, state titlist Mitchell and runner-up Williams. Liberty Bell and Tonasket will be challenged for team honors by Colfax, Reardan and former 2A team Newport, with its eight-wrestler contingent.