Mat Classic XIX

Today and Saturday in Tacoma

4A

Regional winners – Lake Stevens, Kentwood, Rogers-Puyallup, Pasco

Outlook – Lake Stevens is favored. Pasco can challenge and University could trophy. Four individual champions among seven finalists return. Two-time finalist Brian Owen (U-Hi) and Trevor Powell (Lewis and Clark), at 125 pounds, and LC’s Anthony Varnell (140) are title contenders. Gonzaga Prep’s Jon Healy (145) is a returning state placer.

3A

Regional winners – Sedro-Woolley, Kelso, Enumclaw, East Valley.

Outlook – Kelso’s a threat to Sedro-Woolley’s bid for a sixth straight title. EV can trophy. Five individual winners are back, some who were 4A last year. EV’s Clete Hanson, a runner-up at 171, is in a weight that includes three finalists. Mt. Spokane’s Noah Hatton (152) is a title contender.

2A

Regional winners – Burlington-Edison, Steilacoom, W.F. West, Deer Park.

Outlook – Another loaded tournament, with seven returning state champions including Riverside’s Ryan DesRoches. DP, with nine qualifiers, appears to be a team title contender. Levi Zadorozny is a returning state finalist for DP, and Brandon Leliefeld, Viktor Nesenchuk and Cody Miller were state placers. Riverside’s Ryan Major and Tyler Johnson and Pullman’s Kyle Druffel are returning placers.

1A

Regional champions – Castle Rock, Royal, Lakeside (Nine Mile Falls).

Outlook – Lakeside chases a sixth state title with nine wrestlers, six of them state placers. Royal beat Lakeside in a dual match and has 16 qualifiers – six state placers – and had seven regional champs among nine finalists. Two-time finalist Kyle Johnson, and Wes McAdam, Kyle Cartright and Dustin Baldwin return for Lakeside, joined by transfer placers Jacob Lauderdale (Reardan) and Reid Chivers (Bellingham). Other medalists are Chewelah’s Devon Benedict, Newport finalist Daniel Swain and teammates Eric Moody and Steffen Ellison.

2B/1B

Regional champions – Concrete, Kittitas.

Outlook – New division. Republic, with four returning state placers including defending champion Jordan Hancock, was the highest-placing B school a year ago. J.J. Gubler, Nick Olson (both third) and Jarred Palmier also placed for the Tigers. Other placers back are two-time third-placer Adam Thies from Liberty, Josh Eldred (Reardan), and Ben Lembcke and Cody Stephens (Wilbur-Creston/Keller).

Girls

Regional champions – Mt. Baker, Hoquiam, Springdale.

Outlook – New meet. Those who have competed against boys will have the upper hand.