State berths on the line at regional wrestling tournaments

Published 10:26 am Friday, February 13, 2009

CLASS 4A REGION I WRESTLING

• WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 14. Matches begin at 11 a.m. The championship round is slated for 4:30 p.m.

• WHERE: Snohomish High School

• WHO: Teams from the South Puget Sound League North Division along with the Wesco North and South.

• AT STAKE: State berths. The top five wrestlers in each weight class advance to the state tournament, which is slated for Feb. 20-21 at the Tacoma Dome.

• FAVORITES: Lake Stevens, Tahoma, Auburn, Snohomish.

• NOTABLE: Five of the state’s top-10 ranked teams will be competing — Lake Stevens (1), Tahoma (2), Snohomish (3), Kentwood (6) and Auburn (7). In addition, 10 of the state’s top-ranked Class 4A wrestlers will be on in search of titles. Four defending state champions will be in competition: Tahoma’s Nick Bayer (171), Auburn’s Jake Swartz (189) along with Lake Stevens teammates George King (152) and Josh Heinzer (112). Jefferson will have several wrestlers with state potential, including Ivan Mukomol at 125 and Zeke Nistrian at 152.

CLASS 4A REGION II WRESTLING

• WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 14. Matches begin at 9 a.m.

• WHERE: Beamer High School

• WHO: Teams from the South Puget Sound League South Division along with the KingCo.

• AT STAKE: State berths. The top four wrestlers in each weight class advance to the state tournament, which is slated for Feb. 20-21 at the Tacoma Dome.

• FAVORITES: Graham-Kapowsin, Rogers, Decatur, Beamer.

• NOTABLE: Decatur brings eight wrestlers to Beamer, including defending 285-pound state champion Tevyn Tillman. Tillman has lost only one match this season, to an Oregon wrestler in the semifinals of the Pacific Coast Championships. Tillman breezed to the SPSL South title with three-straight pins. Beamer brings seven to the meet on their home mat, including 135-pound SPSL South champion Tyler Enos and 152-pound winner Benjamin Draeger.