Prep wrestlers fare well at state

Prior to state, Ferris High School wrestling coach Tim Owen said he felt the Saxons would avoid a meltdown that had occurred the year before.

He proved correct, the Saxons finishing with three state placers and totaling 38.5 points, 16th best at last weekend’s Mat Classic 4A tournament in Tacoma.

Brandon Riehle, a junior 135-pounder on a tear in postseason, finished third, winning five of six matches, the last four in a row.

Senior Ian Bauman reached the 171-pound semifinals before losing a two-point heartbreaker and wound up fourth. Russell Stinson, just a sophomore, was seventh at 189.

Liberty senior Josh Strohl reached the finals at 285 in State B, taking second.

Wrestling

Ferris (3) – Brandon Riehle, jr., third, 135; Ian Bauman, sr., fourth, 171; Russell Stinson, so., seventh, 215.

Freeman (1) – Cody Gunn, sr., sixth, 189.

Liberty (1) – Josh Strohl, sr., second, 285.