High school wrestling: South Sound wrestlers to watch in 2025-26
For the wrestlers powering Orting to their latest dynasty, winning inside the Tacoma Dome is all they know. The Cardinals brought two dozen contenders to Mat Classic XXXVI nearly a year ago, capturing a fourth-straight team title with six total champions. Graduated seniors Quentin Harding and Alan Salguero Jr. reached rarefied air with four individual state titles, too.
As for a potential fifth-straight team title at Tacoma Dome’s Mat Classic XXXVII next month?
“It’s ours to lose,” Cardinals head coach Jody Coleman said.
Orting embodies the ‘Reload, not Rebuild’ mantra with a pipeline of freshmen arriving year after year from a bustling youth program. Just as three state champions bid their farewells, Coleman welcomed several ninth-graders into the fold — his top five combining for a 73-23 record this winter.
One of them is Dakota Anderson (2A 150), the younger brother of defending 2A 120 champion and junior Trevor ‘TJ’ Anderson, named the 2A SPSL’s Wrestler of the Year last winter. Dakota (24-3) is already considered the state’s top 2A wrestler in his weight class, per Washington Wrestling Network; Trevor is also the favorite to repeat his state crown.
“For all these kids, they just have grown up together,” Coleman said. “It’s a funny dynamic between all of them.
“Dakota’s got a different personality. TJ’s kind of quiet and he’ll make clever, dry humor comments, where Dakota is loud and boisterous. It’s fun.”
Two-time state champions Dominic Thomas and Michael Fritz are among Orting’s key returners, along with Arcadius Cruz and Mat Classic XXXVI champions Trevor Anderson and Nery Rivas. All five will appear in this weekend’s prestigious Doc Buchanan Wrestling Invitational in Clovis, California.
Will the defending Tri-State champion Cardinals capture their fifth-straight 2A team title at Mat Classic XXXVII from Feb. 19-21? With postseason wrestling on its way, here’s a closer look at some of the South Sound’s top wrestlers in 2025-26. Many are chasing second or third individual state titles at the Tacoma Dome next month:
BOYS
LAZARUS McEWEN (18-1)
Capital, soph. — 3A Boys 113
Last year’s freshman phenom rose to stardom by claiming the 3A Boys 106 title at Mat Classic XXXVI with ease. He’s still considered the state’s top wrestler in his weight class by Washington Wrestling Network, claiming first-place finishes at the Edmonds Invite and Rose City Championship (Ore.).
ADRIAN WINDSOR (11-0)
Silas, soph. — 3A Boys 120
Still undefeated in his high-school career (41-0), Windsor claimed last winter’s 3A Boys 113 title at Mat Classic XXXVI and remains atop statewide rankings (Boys 120). Reigning Bob Jones Invite and HammerHead champion.
TREVOR ANDERSON (14-1)
Orting, jr. — 2A Boys 126
Calm and composed with a killer instinct, ‘TJ’ stormed to last year’s 2A Boys 120 title and is the favorite to repeat from the 2A-126. “He just thinks he’s always going to win,” head coach Jody Coleman said. “I think that’s just in his brain, you know? It’s a good place to be.” Edmonds Invite champion.
OWEN MARSHALL (21-0)
Tahoma, jr. — 4A Boys 132
Tahoma’s lone defending Mat Classic champion on a team chock-full of contenders, the patient and efficient Marshall is considered the state’s top wrestler in the 132-pound class. Edmonds Invite, Rose City Championship (Ore.), and Tri-State champion. 2025 TNT Untouchables pick.
WILLIAM ROSS (15-0)
Lincoln, jr. — 3A Boys 132
One of three Abes with a record of 13-0 or better this winter (Tavarre Lee, Javian Jerome Blessing), Ross can claim his second state title at Mat Classic XXXVII next month. Santa Slam, King and Queen of the Castle, and WIAA Return of the Seahawk champion.
DOMINIC THOMAS (15-1)
Orting, sr. — 2A Boys 138
The two-time state champion was named “Outstanding Wrestler” at Tri-State, the newest senior role model for Orting’s dynasty. Edmonds Invite champion is ranked No. 1 in the 138-pound class by Washington Wrestling Network.
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BRYCEN DAWLEY (17-3)
Tahoma, soph. — 4A Boys 138
Dawley’s dominance began well before stepping onto campus in Maple Valley, a youth-tournament standout eventually named to The News Tribune’s class of 2025 Untouchables. Rose City Championship (Ore.) champion.
TAVARRE LEE (15-0)
Lincoln, sr. — 3A Boys 138
The state’s reigning 3A Boys 132 champion is the favorite to repeat, notching wins at the King and Queen of the Castle, Santa Slam, and Doc Herren meets.
ALEX OTHON (18-0)
Tahoma, sr. — 4A Boys 144
The state’s top wrestler in his class has looked the part with a chance to win his first state title at the upcoming Mat Classic XXXVII. The undefeated senior swept brackets at the Edmonds Invite, Rose City Championship (Ore.), and Tri-State meets.
ISAC DEONIGI (12-1)
Tahoma, sr. — 4A Boys 157
The reigning Tri-State (Idaho) champion can win his first Mat Classic title at the Tacoma Dome next month. Considered the No. 1 wrestler in his class statewide by Washington Wrestling Network.
ELI CALDERON (25-0)
Curtis, jr. — 4A Boys 190
The undefeated junior from University Place owns the South Sound’s best record following a seventh-place finish at Mat Classic XXXVI last winter. 2025 Wilfong Classic and Santa Slam champion.
GIRLS
MAISIE ELLIOTT (19-0)
Sumner, fr. — 4A Girls 100
This rising freshman made headlines as the U17 World Bronze Medalist in the 40kg freestyle, providing instant firepower for a deep Sumner program. Elliott is undefeated in her first high-school season and a true title contender in Year 1. WIAA Santa Slam and War of the Roses (Ore.) champion.
KYLER MENZA (8-2)
Washington, sr. — 2A Girls 105
This Patriots senior has reached the podium in three-straight Mat Classics, including a title at the state meet in 2024. HammerHead runner-up.
ALEKSIA RAMIREZ
Lakes, jr. — 3A Girls 105
The defending 3A Girls 100 champion at Mat Classic XXXVI can repeat her state crown next month, considered the classification’s top wrestler in the 105-pound class. ‘Roll in the Swamp’ Invite and Everett Tournament champion.
WINTER WEST (25-0)
Bonney Lake, soph. — 4A Girls 120
West burst onto the scene with a 43-1 record and 4A Girls 110 state title as a freshman, now unbeaten in what’s been an equally-dominant sophomore campaign. Pac Coast, Tiaras and Takedowns champion.
MADISON WATTS (19-2)
Sumner, jr. — 4A Girls 135
An Orting transfer, the state’s top wrestler in the 135-pound class is a two-time defending state champion and the favorite to three-peat at Mat Classic XXXVII in Tacoma next month. Gut Check, War of the Roses (Ore.) runner-up.
SAIGE McCLEERY (23-0)
Sumner, jr. — 4A Girls 140
The Spartans junior won the 4A Girls 130 title at Mat Classic last winter and hasn’t lost since, adding first-place trophies at War of the Roses (Ore.), WIAA Santa Slam, and Gut Check this season. No. 2 on Washington Wrestling Network’s all-classification 140-pound rankings.
TAYDEM BYLIN (17-3)
Enumclaw, sr. — 3A Girls 145
This Hornets senior captured the 3A Girls 140 championship at Mat Classic XXXVI last year, adding War of the Roses (Ore.) and Prairie Open titles as a senior. Bylin is No. 1 on the state’s 145-pound rankings, per Washington Wrestling Network.
PERSEPHONE PUZ (7-1)
Vashon Island, sr. — 1A/2B/1B Girls 145
The 2026 Gut Check Champion (145) chases back-to-back state titles at Mat Classic XXXVII in February. Reigning HammerHead runner-up is second on Washington Wrestling Network’s 145-pound statewide rankings.
BAILEY PARKER (19-0)
Peninsula, sr. — 3A Girls 155
The state’s top wrestler in the 155-pound class claimed the Gut Check title at Kent’s ShoWare Center (Jan. 2-3) and could capture an individual three-peat at Tacoma Dome’s Mat Classic XXXVII next month. Two-time state champion.
LINDSEY SHIPP (16-1)
Peninsula, sr. — 3A Girls 170
The Seahawks senior captured her first state title at last year’s Mat Classic XXXVI, now considered the No. 2 wrestler (all classifications) in the state’s 170-pound class. Reigning Gut Check, HammerHead, and War of the Roses (Ore.) champion.
DAYNA VI (12-2)
Kentwood, sr. — 4A Girls 190
The Conquerors senior is the No. 1 wrestler across all classifications per Washington Wrestling Network’s 190-pound rankings. 2024 Mat Classic XXXVI champion claimed the Tiaras and Takedowns title last month and was runner-up at the Queen of the Castle meet at Stadium High on Dec. 29.
