Several local wrestlers are still on contention after Class 3A/4A teams kicked off the opening day of Mat Classic XXXVI on Thursday, Feb. 20 at the Tacoma Dome.
Mat Classic’s new three-day format, switching from two days, began with 3A and 4A boys and girls, which will wrap up Friday, Feb. 21. The rest of the classifications (1B/2B/1A/2A boys and girls) will compete from Friday to Saturday, Feb. 22.
Ferndale boys
Wyatt Strait shined on the first day by reaching the quarterfinals. He won his first two matches easily, pinning both of his opponents in less than two minutes combined. However, he lost his next match and finished the first day with a 2-1 record. He will start the second day in the sixth round of consolations.
Edward Reyes was knocked out at 113 pounds, along with Ryder Abbott at 126, Mason Fillipini at 138, Alex Depass at 150, Parker Merwin at 157, Wyatt Broyles at 165 and Adam Baader at 175.
Gallery: Day 1 at Mat Classic XXXVI
Ferndale girls
Kennedy Medley won a couple of matches but finished 2-2 and was eliminated at 145 pounds. Chanelle Bill-Kinley lost both of her matches at 145 pounds. Evelyn Nogales finished her season with a 1-2 record at state at 155 pounds.
Mount Vernon boys
Bryson Keller is the Bulldogs’ lone survivor after the first day at 165 pounds. He earned a pin in the winner’s bracket and an 11-1 victory in consolations. Manuel Camacho was eliminated at 106 pounds, along with Carlos Barajas and Armani Grullon at 126, Alexander Solano at 138, Joaquin Lucatero at 150 and Jonathan Ortiz at 190.
Mount Vernon girls
Cassidy Halgren and Dakota Brown are sitting at 3-1 at 110 and 235 pounds respectively.
Hailee Grenier was knocked out at 100 pounds, along with Rihanna Madrid at 105, Isabelle Kortlever and Emily Bonifacio at 115, Ally Warrick at 120, Addison Brown at 130, Rianna Gonzales at 140, Zoe Brocksmith at 135 and Zayda Barajas at 190.
This story was updated at 8:59 p.m. on Feb. 20 to reflect Wyatt Strait, Dakota Brown and Rihanna Gonzales’ results at the end of the first day.
Nick Zeller-Singh is CDN's sports reporter; reach him at nickzellersingh@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 104.
