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Mat Classic XVIII at the Tacoma Dome

When: Friday and Saturday

4A

Last year’s finish: University, Lake Stevens, Auburn.

Mat facts: In a sport that is increasingly becoming a numbers game, this was the first year since the regional concept began in 1972 that the eastern region was allotted only three wrestlers per weight to state. The GSL’s 15 state qualifiers are its fewest. … Statewide, 53 placers return, including eight state champs, U-Hi’s Brian Owen and Central Valley’s Lucas Chesher among them. …Seventeen of last year’s 28 finalists are back, including 140-pound champion Kurt Swartz of Puyallup, now competing at 171.

Local watch: Chesher is up four weights to 140 and in a class with one of the state favorites, Anthony Varnell of Lewis and Clark. Owen is at 112 from 103. CV’s Camren Ebat (160), Ferris’ Taylor Yonago (130), Mt. Spokane’s Noah Hatton (145), and U-Hi’s Nick Zumwalt and Trevor Robb are other returning state placers.

3A

Last year’s finish: Sedro Woolley, East Valley, Columbia River.

Mat facts: Sedro Woolley should win state again with its stable of 12 competitors, three of them returning champions. But EV’s six can keep the Knights in a top-four trophy hunt. … Forty-one state placers return, including five defending champions.

Local watch: Clarkston’s Jason Fairley (140) is seeking his third finals appearance in four years. EV unbeatens Tyler Jolley (275) and Bryce Fisher (145) and North Central’s Dan Seibert (135) are the GSL’s returning medalists.

2A

Last year’s finish: Lakeside (Nine Mile Falls), Ephrata, Mt. Baker.

Mat facts: Lakeside’s success in its first regional since becoming a 2A school was a good preview as it chases its fifth school team title since 1997. … The regional increased the Great Northern League’s state representation to 35 wrestlers. … Six champions return, including Lakeside’s Jon Millard at 171. … All told, 55 top-eight medal winners are back.

Local watch: Lakeside’s Levi Jones and Kyle Johnson were finalists and Jones is seeking his fourth medal and first title after placing second twice. … Robert Spackman of Riverside, David Snyder and Tony Fino from Medical Lake, and Devon Benedict of Chewelah are all state placers.

1A/B

Last year’s finish: Warden, Newport, Liberty Bell.

Mat facts: Royal, coached by former Lakeside state placer Ben Orth, has 10 participants and could challenge Warden, winner of the last four titles. … Tonasket and Lake Roosevelt each also qualified 10 to state. … Eight state champions and 51 placers return.

Local watch: District 7, which includes 1A/B wrestlers from the Bi-County, Panorama and NEA, sends a large delegation of 42, including four champs and 15 state placers. … Newport finished second in state last year and was second in region behind Tonasket. The Grizzlies send seven wrestlers, with three regional titlists, but are without defending state champion Jared Skiles, who missed the season because of cancer. … Republic also has a seven-wrestler contingent with two regional champs. … Colfax’s Jeff Jordan and Josh Campbell, Freeman’s Danny Mathews and Republic’s Seth Schertenleib are returning state champs.