Mat Classic XXXV: Federal Way wrestlers take the podium

Todd Beamer’s Sekou Bangoura and Decatur’s Nehemiah Washington finish in top three.

By Benjamin Ray • February 26, 2024 4:46 pm

There weren’t many Federal Way area wrestlers who made Mat Classic XXXV on Feb. 16-17. But there were a couple that hopped on the podium and shined under the bright lights.

Decatur had three wrestlers make day two, while Todd Beamer and Federal Way high schools both had a pair of wrestlers make the podium day at the Tacoma Dome.

Todd Beamer senior Sekou Bangoura was the closest to a first-place finish. Bangoura was the only wrestler out of the entire Federal Way school district to win his semifinal match and make the championship match.

Bangoura finished seventh a year ago and had his eyes set on the championship this time around. He wrestled Ivan Salaverry from Bellevue, who had just one loss this season compared to Bangoura’s 29-4 record.

Bangoura was tied with Salaverry at the end of regulation. A tired Bangoura just fell to his knees, which allowed Salaverry to get behind him for the takedown to win the 190 pound title.

Todd Beamer also had a placer on the boys side, freshman Caleb Clemans, who placed seventh in 106 at the 3A level.

The other top finisher was Decatur’s Nehemiah Washington, who placed third in the 215-pound 4A weight class. He wrestled one weight class up this year, from 190 to 215, which presented some unique challenges for him. But it also had some advantages: “I knew that with the guys being bigger, I was a lot more explosive, and my gas tank would be longer than these guys,” Washington said.

Washington placed fifth in last year’s Mat Classic, and that experience helped him this time around. After winning his first two matches, he lost in the semifinals to the state runner up. He then battled his way to the third place match, where he won with a pin. In an environment where there isn’t a lot of time to mentally reset, Washington understood that that was just a tough match and moved on.

“I knew he was a good wrestler, so I knew losing was nothing to be ashamed of. I just learned from it,” he said.

Winning by pin happened often for Washington — he pinned 75% of his opponents in his four match wins inside the Tacoma Dome. After his loss, he won by a quick pin: “It felt great. Being tired after my loss, I had to get it over quick,” Washington said.

Washington is in the midst of his junior year. After two strong seasons on the mat, a senior season will be one to watch out for: “It’s going to take just a little bit more of experience,” he said.

Besides Washington, two other Gators made the top eight in the final season before transitioning to 3A. Junior Anthony Zanders took home seventh place at 144 pounds and David Abramyan (150) took eighth to cap off his senior season.

There were two Federal Way High School Eagles who snatched podium positions as well — freshman Ruben Ruiz showed a lot of promise in his first season. Ruiz placed sixth in the state at 113 pounds. On the girls side, Marina Velasco-Bono (130) placed seventh in her sophomore season.