The News Tribune’s 2022 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 12 wrestlers (nine boys, three girls) across various classifications.
THE NEWS TRIBUNE’S 2021-22 UNTOUCHABLES
ISAIAH ANDERSON (195)
Chiawana (4A), sr., 12-0
A two-time state champion, Anderson would more than likely finish his high school career as a four-time Mat Classic champion, if the 2021 tournament hadn’t been canceled because of the pandemic. Anderson only has 12 matches under his belt this year since he returned in mid-January after having shoulder surgery, but when he’s on the mat, he’s arguably the most dominant wrestler in the state. “He is an extremely hard worker in the wrestling room,” said Chiawana coach Jack Anderson. Because of that attitude and mentality, it translates to every aspect: diet, work ethic and training.” In his free time, Anderson is watching college wrestling matches, live streams of matches in other states — anything he can get his hands on. Growing up, Anderson and his teammate Darion Johnson (also on the list) were on the smaller side. Between seventh and ninth grade, Anderson put on about 50 pounds. “He’s in a big-guy weight class but wrestles like a little guy with that skill level, speed, footwork,” Anderson said. “His side-to-side athleticism and movement is like a lightweight.”
GAGE COOK (285)
Granger (2B), sr., 43-0
Another two-time Mat Classic state champion, the Army commit has been bulking up after winning both his previous titles in the 220-pound weight class. “His speed is unreal for a heavyweight,” said Granger coach Richard Sanchez. “He’s just a workhorse. He’s got a drive of his own. He goes out there and just takes care of business.” Cook has evolved his wrestling style, adding more takedowns to his repertoire. “Guys would run from him and were content to just survive the match,” Sanchez said. In his 43 wins this season, he has 41 pins.
NATHAN GREGORY (126)
Deer Park (1A), sr., 34-1
It comes down to mat time for Gregory, a two-time Mat Classic state champion. He lives and breathes wrestling. “I can’t think of anyone who wrestles as much as he does,” said Deer Park coach Ryan Jorgensen. “He wrestles at least 10 months out of the year.” He’s at his best on his feet, always ready to pounce and lightning-fast in his takedowns. “He’s always on the attack,” Jorgensen said. That’s probably his strongest area as a wrestler, taking people down. He’s not overly strong or quick, all those attributes kids think they need to have. He’s just one step ahead of everyone he wrestles. Kids feel like they’re wrestling against themselves when they wrestle him. That’s what separates him. He’s already two steps ahead of you.” Gregory is at least 150 takedowns ahead of Deer Park’s career takedown record.
CJ HAMBLIN (182)
Mountain View (3A), sr., 12-0
A two-time Mat Classic state champion, Hamblin shows dedication to the sport and has a constant commitment to improve. “I think he’s just a fierce competitor,” said Mountain View coach Joel Denman. “He’s not always the most athletic or strongest person, but he’s extremely competitive.” A freestyle wrestler, Hamblin is most comfortable on his feet. “He’s very dominant on his feet,” Denman said. “I think he’s one of the top wrestlers in the United States on his feet. He’s taken down some of the best in the country. He’s extremely dynamic on his feet.” Hamblin has lost just three matches in his high school career. He’s committed to Oregon State.
DARION JOHNSON (182)
Chiawana (4A), sr., 38-0
It’s not uncommon for high school wrestlers to fluctuate in between weight classes throughout their high school careers, but the jump Johnson has made isn’t typical: He won a state title at 120 pounds and now is going for the 182-pound title. “He put on 50 pounds and grew five inches,” said Chiawana coach Jack Anderson. His teammate, Isaiah Anderson, had a similar growth spurt, though his was a couple years earlier. Johnson and Anderson grew up wrestling each other as smaller wrestlers. “They both wrestle like little guys,” Anderson said. While Isaiah Anderson is a bit more aggressive in his style, Johnson takes a highly-technical approach. “He’s an incredible scrambler, refuses to give up points,” Anderson said. “He fights for every point and he’s very hard to score on. He’s become very skilled on the mat, he’s able to turn guys at will. He’s very impressive with his mat wrestling. He’s got the most college-ready style in Washington state this year.”
THOR MICHAELSON (160)
Bremerton (2A), jr., 32-1
He’s been wrestling since he was four years old and spends the bulk of the offseason traveling across the country, flying out to the east coast and the Midwest to see a tougher level of competition. Michaelson has represented Team USA in the Pan-American games in Mexico and Panama, racking up four gold medals along the way. The one thing that’s eluded him so far? A state championship at Mat Classic. We’d expect that to change this year for Michaelson, who has taken his travel experience and added different techniques from different areas to his arsenal. “He adopted a style we pulled from the Midwest, a hand-fighting style,” said Ty Michaelson, Bremerton’s coach and Thor’s dad. “It slows the pace down, controls the match. It takes away your opponent’s ability to score. That’s where his strength is. He’s more position-based.” Want proof? Michaelson has only given up a single takedown all year. “In his whole high school career, he has maybe given up three,” Michaelson said. His lone loss this season came to Toppenish’s Abel Nava Jr., who’s also on this list.
KENNDYL MOBLEY (120)
North Central (3A), sr., 24-0
A two-time Mat Classic state champion, Mobley brings a certain nasty streak to the mat. He’s relentless. “He’s in your face for six minutes the whole time,” said North Central coach Steven Taylor. “Any move he hits, he’s committing to it 100 percent. That makes him a tough wrestler. … His attitude and mindset, he knows how to win and what it feels like. He duplicates it each weekend and each match.” Mobley is best in the top position. “His transitions are clean,” Taylor said. “He’s just a mean, aggressive wrestler.” If not for last year’s tournament being canceled, Mobley likely would have been the second wrestler from the Greater Spokane League to become a four-time Mat Classic state champion, joining North Central’s Clai Quintanilla (2017).
ABEL NAVA JR. (152)
Toppenish (1A), sr., 25-1
Nava has racked up a 107-5 career high school record, earning a reputation for his nonstop motor. “His relentlessness, that’s the biggest thing he has,” said Toppenish coach Jose Segovia. “His biggest thing is being the best in the room and the best on the mat. He’s relentless on the attack, on your back, riding you out. Just in your face. Kids don’t know how to prepare for it.” Nava, who won two titles at Granger before transferring to Toppenish, pairs that physical nastiness with a high wrestling IQ. “He’s very knowledgeable about the position he’s in,” Segovia said. “Mat presence is his biggest factor. … He’s well aware of his surroundings on the mat.”
Q’VELI QUINTANILLA (145)
University (3A), jr., 30-0
There’s some pressure that comes with the family name: Quintanilla’s two older brothers, Izaec and Clai, had plenty of success at the high school level. Izaec won three Mat Classic titles, while Clai became the Greater Spokane League’s first four-time Mat Classic champion in 2017, when he won his fourth title at North Central. That pressure hasn’t seemed to faze the third of four total brothers; Q’veli is going for his second Mat Classic title this weekend. Mentally, Quintanilla processes things faster than the vast majority of high school wrestlers. “Just his speed and ability to move from one thing to the other,” said University coach Ryan Montang. “Most kids, they have to stop and think. He’s able to go from one thing to the next thing and flow through an entire match that way.” Quintanilla is able to score takedowns on opponents before they even realize what’s happening. “He’s good in every position,” Montang said. “Just how fast he is. Where you really see that is from neutral. He will be moving and creating angles and then he’ll just disappear and be on a shot. If you’re able to react, he’ll be on the next thing. It’s just really incredible to see how quickly he can move and go from one thing to another.”
GIRLS
SHELBY MOORE (130)
White River, jr., 23-0
Moore didn’t start wrestling until 2018, when she was a seventh grader sitting in the grandstands on championship Saturday night at Mat Classic in the Tacoma Dome. Her brother, Nate, was on his way to a second Class 2A title. From that moment on, she was hooked. Quickly, she’s blossomed into not only one of the state’s best girls wrestlers, but the country’s, too. She racked up five national titles in a three-and-a-half month span, beating some of the nation’s top competition in tournaments in Iowa and North Dakota. “She’s confident, but extremely humble,” said White River coach Jason Jackson. “She works hard every day. … She loves to wrestle. … She’s diligent in everything she does. She makes sure every move is done right.” While her opponents are trying to land a move, Moore has already moved on. “She plays a game of chess but with wrestling,” Jackson said. “She’s three, maybe four moves ahead of everybody. That’s what I think makes her stand out. When you’re racing to one thing, she’s already moved and done something else.” She has been taken down just once this season, at a tournament in Yelm. Her response? She reversed and pinned her opponent in 15 seconds. Moore has pinned every opponent she’s faced this year.
ISABELLA MORALES (100)
Toppenish, sr., 26-0
She trains nonstop, often three times a day: A morning workout, a club-team workout and then drill work for up to an hour, working on things like footwork or agility. That obsessiveness leads to Morales always being prepared for whatever opponents throw her way. “Her ability to adjust in the moment, make in-match adjustments (stands out),” said Toppenish coach Alexio Garcia. “Her hand-fighting is next level. That’s what she trains for. I don’t think there’s anyone that can compete with her at the high school level. Her pace is just unmatched.” Garcia watches as Morales’ opponents try to attack her in different ways or intimidate her. The efforts are usually futile. “You walk in there with a gameplan,” Garcia said. “One match, someone was circling hard, thinking they could bully (her). As soon as she started cutting angles, it was over. Just knowing how to redirect people, how to cut people off (is her strength). Moving left to right. She does it really well.”
ALIVIA WHITE (190)
Marysville-Pilchuck, jr., 31-0
Another wrestler who was inspired by an older sibling, White has been wrestling with her older brother Cayden (now wrestling at Minot State in North Dakota) since she was six years old. “They’re very competitive,” said Andrea White, Marysville-Pilchuck’s coach and Alivia’s mom. “They like to one-up each other. Physically, he’s pushed (Alivia) beyond what anyone could. He’s worked on things with her, made it difficult for her. He’s been a great mentor for her.” For opponents, there’s a good chance they’re going to get violently tossed onto the mat by the fearless White. “She’s strong and loves to throw,” Andrea White said. “She’s patient. Her body awareness, she’s watching and senses their movements. It’s pretty fun to watch.” White won a Mat Classic championship in 2020.
This story was originally published February 18, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
