Mat Classic XXXVI, Day 2: Capital’s McEwen, Lincoln’s Lee capture state titles in Tacoma
Lazarus McEwen can’t be stopped: Capital’s freshman phenom and TNT Untouchables pick has captured his first state title at Mat Classic XXXVI, and we’re willing to bet it won’t be the last.
McEwen pinned Kent Meridian’s Farzad Karimi in the closing moments of the second period and officially claimed Friday night’s 3A 106 championship match via fall (3:53) in front of a healthy crowd at the Tacoma Dome. It was a longer bout by his standards — each of McEwen’s other four wins this weekend took only 90 seconds or less.
“It feels pretty great,” McEwen said. “I wrestled (Farzad) at Gut Check before. He was a little better this time, but I was still able to get the pin.”
McEwen knows how important state championships are — but in comparison to his lofty resume, a Mat Classic title is just another box to check. Last October, the rising star won the 2024 Brian Keck Memorial Preseason Nationals tournament in Des Moines, Iowa, and cruised to victories at Rockwell Rumble (Utah), Tri-State, Gut Check, Pac Coast, and the Edmonds Invite.
He spent the overwhelming majority of Friday’s 3A 106 championship in the driver’s seat, plotting his next move atop Karimi before the season-ending pin.
“(I had to) open him up to get my shots, and I had to work my tilts on top,” McEwen said.
The freshman’s eyes are already focused on state title number two.
“I want to win four,” McEwen said. “And then go to a good college.”
Moments later on the same mat, Silas freshman Adrian Windsor claimed the Boys 3A 113 title — a 79-second thriller that ended via fall over Kennewick’s undefeated senior Abraham Noriega. Undefeated no more.
“That’s just one down,” Windsor said. “I’m looking to get three more. … Every time I come here, I want to dominate.
“I just (had to) stay calm and get to my attacks. That’s what I did.”
Windsor basked in the moment, jumping into the arms of his coaches with excitement and pleasing the Mat Classic crowd with a celebratory backflip. He screamed with conviction: “One down, three to go!”
Windsor’s freshman record? A perfect 40-0.
“Having my coaches in my corner means everything,” he said. “Without them, I wouldn’t be here. They push me every day to be a better person and just be a better athlete all-around.”
LINCOLN’S LEE, AMSDEN CLAIM TITLES
In a sea of the state’s best wrestlers, there’s plenty of black and gold.
Lincoln’s Tavarre Lee (Boys 3A 132) and Bradley Amsden (Boys 3A 285) captured individual state titles, and the Abes grabbed third place in the boys team standings at Tacoma Dome’s Mat Classic XXXVI.
“The heart that our kids have,” Lincoln head coach Willie Ross said. “That’s what it is. They give me everything, I give it back to them. They’re all family… They try their best and work their hardest. That’s all I can ask for.”
Lee’s third-period escape prevailed over Hermiston’s Aidan Larson via 1-0 decision, though a potential Larson takedown in the final moments required referees to converge and discuss. In the end, officials raised Lee’s arm to the sky, and the Lincoln junior turned toward the Abes faithful to point to the “Lee” tattoo on his left wrist: “You see the name!”
“It’s a beautiful moment to see my younger brothers win,” Amsden said. “We grinded all season together. (Tavarre’s) one of my guys.”
Amsden toppled Silas’ Nathan Frederickson via 3-1 decision, a Tacoma rivalry that required overtime. The Abes heavyweight and TNT All-Area football pick found his family for hugs in the bleachers, took pictures with friends, and stood atop the podium holding the sign: “State Champ.”
“This is all in God’s glory. I wouldn’t be here without Jesus Christ,” Amsden told The News Tribune, holding back tears. “And I just want to shout out my mom. She’s been there my whole life. It’s my mom, dad, and Jesus Christ, for sure.”
Four Abes reached respective state championships in all: Andrew Flores (120), William Ross (126), Lee (132), and Amsden (285). Flores and Ross finished runner-up.
The cherry on top: Ross is the son of coach Willie Ross, a father-son duo at the forefront of the Abes program. William won the 3A Boys 126 bracket as a freshman in 2024 at Mat Classic XXXV.
“I think I’m more nervous than they are,” Willie Ross said with a smile before the semifinal rounds. “100 percent.
“It’s overwhelming sometimes, because I get to watch the joy that (William) has,” Lincoln’s coach continued. “He loves to wrestle. It’s not a competition to him. He just loves being here. He loves the family aspect of everything.
“It’s amazing I get to watch him. It’s hard because I’m his dad and his coach, but it’s amazing.”
ROBERTS, TARRANT WIN COVETED FOURTH TITLE
The Four-Time State Champions Club just welcomed two new members.
University’s Libby Roberts (Girls 3A 110) and Prairie’s Faith Tarrant (Girls 3A 235) completed the ultimate gauntlet and joined elite company as the 23rd and 24th wrestlers in state history to win four titles, boys or girls.
Roberts defeated Shorewood’s Finley Houck via fall (2:28) in Friday night’s Girls 3A 110 championship match, and Tarrant silenced Oak Harbor’s Olivia Hudson in similar fashion (Fall, 1:24).
TEAM CHAMPIONS
4A BOYS — Tahoma (226)
4A GIRLS — Richland (180)
3A BOYS — White River (252)
3A GIRLS — Kelso (217.5)
This story was originally published February 21, 2025 at 10:41 PM.
