The Kent high schools had a very solid showing at the state wrestling tournament, Mat Classic XXXIV, held Feb. 17-18 at the Tacoma Dome.
Kentwood’s Chase Baker, a junior, is the Class 4A 220-pound state champion, going 33-6 this season. Baker won all four of his matches en route to the state title. He beat Lake Stevens junior Koen Mattern 7-5 in the title match.
Sarah Wright represented Kentwood’s girls side with a third place finish. She lost her second round match to the eventual state champion in the semifinals, but was able to win her first match in the consolation bracket by a 6-3 decision. This was followed by a pin in the second round in the third place match-up.
“Looking back at the season, I’m so glad I pushed myself to get to this point,” Wright said.
Wright enjoyed seeing Baker win a title.
“We’ve wrestled at the same club since we were really little … Seeing us grow up, wrestling here together and both place is phenomenal,” Wright said.
Ramazan Foldov of Kent-Meridian sizes up his opponent on the second day of the state tournament. Photos by Ben Ray/The Reporter
Kent-Meridian had the best team result of any school in the district, finishing 10th at the 3A classification.
The Royals were led by freshman Adonai Garza, who made his way to the championship match for 120 pounds. It took all three periods and 30 seconds of overtime for his opponent from Lincoln to be crowned the champion.
Ramazan Foldov finished in fourth place at 195, Yasar Faizi placed fifth and Jackson Esseman placed eighth. Those three wrestlers propelled the Royals to the top-10 finish after not having a single placer in last year’s tournament.
Kentridge’s wrestlers also etched themselves back into the final standings of the state championship tournament. Entering with seven wrestlers, only three placed, two in the same weight division.
Emilio Tolomei was the Chargers best result placing fourth, while Jaheem Zakka and Auwechehon E. Williams IV wrestled in the 132-pound division and placed sixth and eighth, respectively.
The Chargers did not place in last year’s state tournament, while this year Kentridge snuck inside the top 20, finishing 19th at the 4A level.
Kentridge staff working with Emilio Tolomei on his second day of competing. Photos by Ben Ray/ The Reporter.
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