By Roy Pablo, Tulalip See-Yaht-Sub guest writer
The Mat Classic High School State Wrestling Championship celebrated it’s 25th year at the Tacoma Dome, February 15-16. The top wrestlers from each region in Washington at every weight class came to battle it out for the elite title of State Champion. For a high school wrestler there is no greater goal than making it to the Dome, and most can only hope to be there by their senior year. Beyond high school every serious wrestlers dream is the Olympics. As you can imagine the topic of conversation this weekend centered on the IOC’s suggestion to remove wrestling from
the Olympics, which will be voted on by 2014. “It’s a tough blow,” said Marysville Pilchuck head coach Craig Iversen. “Our sport is very successful. We’re filling up the Tacoma Dome, and for the top level to not be recognized would very damaging to this sport. But for now, kids are excited to be here and we are focusing on today.”
Marysville Pilchuck had six competitors make it to state this year. For sophomores Ryan Daurie at 126 lbs., Killian Page at 145 lbs. and Drew Hatch at 160 lbs. this was their second time at the Mat Classic. As freshman Drew and Killian both took 6th place and Ryan attended as an alternate. Marysville Pilchuck is one of the few schools to have under classmen make it to the dome in the higher weight classes, much less place. Seniors Jory Cooper at 285 lbs., Ignat Gabov at 220 lbs., and Ishmael Perez at 195 lbs., fought through both district and regional qualifying tournaments to represent the Tomahawks for their first time. The Tomahawk wrestlers are led by Craig Iversen, who was named “Coach of the Year” in 2012, Tony Hatch, “Assistant Coach of the Year” for 2013, Tony Delpozo, and John Hodgins.
The two-day tournament was long and exhausting. After day one, Marysville only had three wrestlers left in the folkstyle tournament, Ignat Gabov , Drew Hatch and Killian Page. The other three had been eliminated after suffering two losses. Killian, ranked number six, was up first in a semi final match that would determine whether he would wrestle for the championship or be bumped into the losers bracket to fight for third place. His opponent was the number three-ranked senior Dylan Schmidt from Shadle Park. (Rankings are established through last years placing, wins, losses and number of tournaments wrestled). It was a battle match that lasted over 12 minutes with injury and stoppage time. The score was tied almost the entire match in the final 10 seconds Killian rallied with a 2 point take down to end the match and put him in the finals. Although he lost his finals match to senior John Hoover from (Mt. Spokane) Killian was still so excited to be there. “I am okay with second” Killian said. “That guy was a beast and a cool kid he deserved it. Besides just being in the finals felt like a dream.
Next up was Drew Hatch in the 160 lb. bracket. Recovering from a torn meniscus, Drew had his first loss of the season the day before against senior Morgan Smith of Meadowdale, and needed every win to stay in the running. His first match of the day was against freshman Mason McDaniel and ended with a win by injury forfeit. Next up Drew wrestled the number 3 ranked sophomore Bryson Pierce from North Central. It was a tough match, but Drew dominated and won 8-5 securing his spot on the podium and ending up with a fourth place medal. “I put alot of pressure on myself to do better than last year, but I can’t say I am not a little disappointed.” Drew said. “ I just can’t wait for next year when I am completely healed and hopefully my teammates and I will get another chance.”
Ignat or “Iggy was last to wrestle in the semi final round. Iggy’s story is the most interesting. He and his family moved from Russia to Marysville several years ago. After dominating at football he decided to try wrestling. It was difficult for him to communicate with the coaches at first because English was his second language, but Iggy didn’t give up. In only his second year he made it to the state championships on pure brute strength. He won three matches with a “head and arm” and moved on to place 8th.
The sophomores of Marysville Pilchuck are all ready looking forward to Mat Classic XXVI and the future. Killian, Drew and Ryan all shared the same words; “There are many promising wrestlers in the Marysville Wrestling Club and coming up from the middle schools. We are going to have a strong team next year and the year after, and hopefully we will just keep going.”
Both the wrestlers and coaches are hopeful for the State Championships in 2014 as well as the IOC’s final vote on the fate of Olympic Wrestling.