The News Tribune’s 2020 Untouchables — the state’s most unbeatable high school wrestlers
Some wrestlers are good, others are great. Then there are the “Untouchables.”
These are the most unbeatable high school wrestlers from around the state, which The News Tribune has published annually before the state wrestling championships for more than 30 years running.
This year’s class includes eight wrestlers across various classifications.
THE NEWS TRIBUNE’S 2019-20 UNTOUCHABLES
RYAN WHEELER (152)
Curtis (4A), senior, 38-1
Wheeler won his first title last year in the 145-pound weight class, and likely would have won as a sophomore also, had he not broken his collarbone. The Colorado Mesa commit hit a growth spurt as a freshman and moved up several weight classes; he’s as strong as anyone in 152 and has the agility of a lower-weight class wrestler. “He has such fast feet and he doesn’t have to utilize them,” said Curtis coach Shawn Gaspaire. “He’s comfortable standing in front of you and making you have to defeat that strength. … He knows where he wants to be. He stays tight, doesn’t make errors.” Has a career 156-11 record.
MAKA YACAPIN (132)
Curtis (4A), senior, 33-1
Yacapin is going for his third consecutive title this season and for the third straight time, will be doing so in a different weight class. He won at 113 pounds as a sophomore, 126 pounds last year as a junior and this year, is going for the 132-pound title at the state tournament. “He’s everything that every wrestler could ever need. He’s intelligent, physically gifted, works hard,” said Curtis coach Shawn Gaspaire. “He switches gears, sets people up. He sets traps for people. He sees angles that they don’t see. He can switch directions in the air. It defies physics.” Yacapin holds a 133-11 career record.
HAIDEN DRURY (132)
Toppenish (2A), senior, 39-0
Drury is going for his third state title and his fourth championship match appearance. The Fresno State commit also won the Zinkin Classic in California this season, is a two-time Fargo Greco national champion, was a silver medalist at the Pan-American Games and took bronze at the Austrian Open.
YUSIEF LILLIE (120)
Tahoma (4A), senior, 32-2
Formerly at Bonney Lake, Lillie’s two losses on the season were to out-of-state, nationally-ranked wrestlers at the Doc Buchanan Tournament in California. He’s a two-time state champion in Class 3A and will be going for his first 4A title this year. “He’s one of the best technicians I’ve coached,” said Tahoma coach Chris Feist. “He’s fast and able to move from position to position at a pace that sets him apart from the rest of the competition.” Lillie is a five-time Fargo All-American.
BRAXTON MIKESELL (285)
Central Valley (4A), senior, 18-0
Mikesell is going for his second Mat Classic state title this weekend. The Utah Valley-bound senior represented Team USA at the 2019 Pan-American and World Championships. “He has learned how to adapt his approach to each match to force his own style onto every opponent he’s facing,” said Central Valley coach Shaun Williams. “He’s a difficult opponent because he’s extremely strong with good cardio that allows him to dictate the pace and tactics in the match.” Mikesell has a 90-11 career record.
ISAIAH PEREZ (285)
Othello (2A), senior, 33-0
He’s a BYU football signee as a defensive end and tight end, but wrestling hasn’t just been an offseason activity for the senior, who sports a 139-16 career record with 119 pins. Perez is a two-time state wrestling champion. “He’s athletic, fierce, strong, fast, a great technician with finesse and all while remaining humble and a class act,” said Othello coach Rudy Ochoa. Perez is also a Tri State Champion, two-time Gut Check champion and Who’s Number 1 tournament champion.
AMADEO FLORES-PIMENTEL (220)
Selah (2A), senior, 35-1
Flores-Pimentel is a two-time state champion for the Vikings. At 6-foot-4, he moves better than most wrestlers his size. “He’s very explosive from the bottom position,” said Selah coach Ken Mozingo. “His speed, quickness on his feet, and he has a variety of different takedowns. He can wrestle from many angles.” The senior has compiled a 151-23 career record.
ALLISON BLAINE (135: Girls)
Hudson’s Bay, senior, 12-0
She’s had a nearly flawless high school career, with her lone loss coming her freshman season at Mat Classic to the eventual state champion. Outside of that, it’s been nothing but dominance for Blaine, who won state titles in her sophomore and junior years and has compiled an 88-1 record. She’s spent her whole career wrestling boys, who are generally stronger than her, which Hudson’s Bay coach Chad Ortiz believes has paid dividends. “She learned to be better technically, to always keep herself in great position and to be mentally tougher than her opponents. … I think that if she decided that wrestling was in her future, she could eventually be competing for a spot on the Olympic women’s team. That’s how good she is.”
This story was originally published February 21, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
