Area wrestlers prepare for state

Bellevue’s Jun Park led the way for the Wolverines at the Region I 3A championships at Glacier Peak High School, finishing second in the 130-pound weight class.

Park finished second to Josh St. Marie, who scored a 15-6 decision.

Park was one of three Wolverines to qualify for the Mat Classic, which runs this Friday and Saturday at the Tacoma Dome. Jimmy Trull finished in fourth place for the Wolverines in the 215-pound weight class, while Andy Ewing finished in fourth as well in the 130-pound weight classic.

Bellevue finished in 11th place with 52 points. Mercer Island took the team title with 130 points.

Interlake will send two boys and two girls to state after this weekend’s 2A III regionals. Junior Jacob Marks picked up the Saints highest finish, taking second in 152. Marks was beaten by Preston Churchhill of Centrailia, 15-10.

Bellevue Christian hosted the Region 1 1A championships on Saturday. The Vikings’ Xavier Williams and Connor Lang both finished second, the highest finishes for the Vikings on the day. Williams (130) was pinned by Orting’s Antonio Brown in the title match, while Lang (103) was pinned by Dakota Stiles, also of Orting.

Bellevue Christian finished with 56.5 points and took sixth place. Orting won the team title with 291 points.

Newport scored no points in the 4A regional held at Skyline High School. The Knights send no wrestlers to state.

GRAPPLERS READY FOR STATE

Several area wrestlers now prepare for Friday and Saturday’s state championship meet.

Interlake’s Summer Hanson qualified for the Mat Classic in the girls division at 119. She’ll face Kelso’s Elle Mustion in the first round. Brandae Grein also qualified for the Saints in the 160-pound weight class. The senior faces Enumclaw’s Danielle Cormier in the first round.

Bellevue Christian’s Lang faces Ridgefield freshman Casey Oviatt in the first round of the 1A 103-pound bracket, while teammate Williams will take on Cameron Queener of Riverview in the 130-pound class.

Interlake qualified XX wrestlers, beginning with Ryuji Kawashima in the 135-pound weight class for the 2A championships. Kawashima, a senior, faces Blaine’s Shaypher Hendricks in the first round. Marks will face Anacortes senior Jordan Ferrier in the opening match of the 152-pound weight class.

Bellevue’s Andy Ewing will face Sunnyside’s Rigo Valdez in the first round of the 3A 130-pound weight class, while teammate Park, also in 130, takes on another Sunnyside grappler, this one Isaac Guerrero. Trull (215) faces O’Dea junior David Dempsey in his opening match.

QUALIFIED WRESTLERS

Girls

Summer Hanson, Interlake, 119

Brandae Grein, Interlake, 160

1A

Connor Lang, Bellevue Christian, 103

Xavier Williams, Bellevue Christian, 130

2A

Ryjui Kawashima, Interlake, 135

Jordan Marks, Interlake, 152

3A

Andy Ewing, Bellevue, 130

Jun Park, Bellevue, 130

Jimmy Trull, Bellevue, 215