Three GSL wrestlers earn state titles

TACOMA – The evening began and ended with Greater Spokane League individual state champions with another in-between. But as fate would have it, no others from the rest of the combined 10 3A and 4A wrestlers at Mat Classic XVIII fared as well

Central Valley 103-pounder Nick Cambron continued his late-season surge with a dramatic late-match reverse and overtime takedown for the first GSL win.

Tyler Jolley capped his unbeaten 275-pound season by adding another family state title 12 years after his oldest brother got the first.

And Clarkston three-time finalist Jason Fairley picked up his second championship, at 140 pounds.

But five GSL wrestlers would match up against returning champions during Saturday night’s finals and come up short.

East Valley, with six wrestlers, placed five and sent four into the finals for a third-place finish in 3A behind Sedro Woolley’s juggernaut and Kelso.

In 4A, University had a solid second day from four remaining performers and trophied in fourth place with 70 points.

3A

East Valley’s Anthony Rivera at 119 pounds and Bryce Fisher, at 145, lost to defending champion Sedro Woolley wrestlers and sophomore 171-pound Clete Hanson was also beaten.

Jamie Tamura from North Central also faced a returning state champion in the 125-pound final, Sunnyside’s Steve Sanchez who beat him 16-1 the week before. This time it was 10-7.

4A

In other title matches, University’s Brian Owen and CV’s Lucas Chesher were denied repeat state championships.

Owen was outmuscled by South Kitsap’s Josiah Kipperberg 4-2. Chesher lost 4-3 to Kai Van Leuven.

Van Leuven had earlier ended the championship hopes of Lewis and Clark’s Anthony Varnell in overtime.

At 130 pounds, Ferris’ Taylor Yonago lost to defending champ Kelly Kubec of Lake Stevens