Preview: Mat Classic XXVII
4A: Central Valley coach John Owen said all year that he had half a team. Sure enough, he proved prophetic as seven Bears qualified for state. All seven have a chance to place. If that happens, CV will be in the hunt for a trophy. A handful of Bears will win state titles or challenge for one. Senior Blake Beard (138 pounds) will be seeking a third straight state title and his brother, Bryson, a junior and a runner-up last year, is ranked No. 1 at 120. Oregon State-bound University heavyweight Tate Orndorff, who won a title in the Titans’ final year in 3A, is heavily favored to flatten his class. U-Hi’s Cam Sorensen (132) and Mead’s Kevin McLean (195) will contend for titles.
3A: This is North Central’s confirmation year. The Indians sneaked through last year in a perfect storm, placing all six of their state qualifiers led by state champions and brothers Izaec and Clai Quintanilla, at 160 and 113, respectively. If there’s such a thing as locks, the Quintanillas would be the definition. NC is bringing two more wrestlers this time. NC coach Luke Leifer said his team has little wiggle room for error if it wants to repeat. Bryson Pierce (170) and Bryan Wais (145) will battle for titles. Other title contenders are Alec Hoover (120) of Mt. Spokane and Kyle Vinson (182) of Shadle Park.
2A: It could be a light year for the Great Northern League. State title contenders include Spencer Clegg (113), Zach Freeman (145) and Dylan Beeler (220) of Clarkston and Trey Meyer (152) of East Valley.
1A: Freeman has never captured a state trophy, missing by a place last year. The Scotties’ breakthrough could involve a state title. They’re top-ranked heading to state. Freeman qualified an impressive 15. “If we wrestle like we did (at regionals), we should be able to challenge for a state title,” Freeman coach Chad Ripke said. “I have been blessed with a great bunch of kids who work their butts off every day in the room (and) have been challenge at some of the best tournaments in the Northwest.” Freeman’s Markus Goldbach (182), Sebastian Hyta (195) and Teigan Glidewell (hwt) have titles on the mind. Deer Park and Colville advanced nine and eight, respectively, to state. It could be a Northeast A domination. Other individuals in the hunt for titles are: defending state champ Dalton Young (120) and Garrett Brown (152) of Lakeside; T.J. Baun (106), Tyler Ward (132), Ian Cox (152), Ryley Smith (160) and Ben Knight (170) of Colville; and Jason Aebischer (195) and Trevor Eicher (220) of Deer Park.
2B/1B: Four area wrestlers will be back to defend state titles. They are: Justin Chantry (113) of Selkirk; Kain Feltwel1 (132) and Kaleb Hafner (152) of Liberty; and Lucas Rittel (182) of Republic. Ben Alford (160) is heavily favored to become Northwest Christian’s first state champ.