Wrestling titles, state glory still up for grabs at Mat Classic XXVIII

On many occasions, Jordyn Bartelson has taken the wrestling mat, made quick work of an opponent — and barely broken a sweat.

But on Friday, she got the best reminder how difficult the quest is to win four WIAA state titles at Mat Classic.

She had her nose bloodied.

The three-time defending state champion from Puyallup did keep her four-peat pursuit intact with a 12-3 victory over Zillah’s Olyvia Smith in the girls 120-pound quarterfinals in the Tacoma Dome.

It is certainly a weekend to chase a little history. Also advancing a bid for four state titles is Lake Stevens’ Michael Soler (4A in boys 170) and Grandview’s Desiree Zavala (girls 145).

All nine of The News Tribune’s “Untouchable” wrestlers — Central Valley’s Bryson Beard (4A boys 126), Clarkston’s Dylan Beeler (2A boys 195), Kent-Meridian’s Emmanuel Daigbe (4A boys 195), Deer Park’s Trevor Eicher (1A boys 220), East Valley of Spokane’s Trey Meyer (2A boys 170), Orting’s Hunter Mullins (2A boys 285), Lakeside of Nine Mile Falls’ Dalton Young (2A boys 132), and Soler and Bartelson — reached the state semifinals.

In fact, the closest match any in this group had was Daigbe, who edged University’s Tyler Rickel, 6-3, in the 4A quarterfinals.

“I am trying to get used to going a full match,” Daigbe said. “This is different. I am on top now. I am the top dog. I have to keep doing what I’m doing.”

Just like a year ago, the 4A race looks like a battle between powerhouses Lake Stevens (58 points) and Moses Lake (53). Combined, the two schools have won 28 Mat Classic championships.

And while the defending champion Chiefs had their stumbles, Lake Stevens was stellar. Both have five wrestlers in the state semifinals.

What was expected to be a close 3A race has turned into a rout. In search of its first Mat Classic title, Arlington (80 points) has a 20-point lead over Edmonds-Woodway — with seven wrestlers remaining in the semifinals.

Toppenish (2A), Deer Park (1A), Warden (2B/1B) and Federal Way (girls) all lead their respective team races.

In Bartelson’s case, she is looking to join Kiona-Benton’s Sheridan McDonald in the elite four-peat sorority come Saturday.

Yet this week in the Bartelson household, things have been business-like. Father, Bryan — a former coach at Orting who is now with the Vikings — has sent inspirational quotes via text message to his daughters.

“The one today is, ‘Success does not come to you — go to it,’ ” Bryan Bartelson said. “We are taking this all in stride, rolling with it and trying to have as much fun as we can.”

Jordyn Bartelson was well on her way to victory when she suddenly left herself open to a throw — which Smith took advantage of, briefly taking the Puyallup standout to her back.

Seconds later, the action was stopped — a stream of blood was running from Bartelson’s nose.

“My sister (Brooklyn) gives them to me all the time,” she said with a smile.

After recovering for the victory, Bartelson — who is set to play soccer at Western Washington University — said she regrets that this is her last weekend of wrestling.

“It is like I am breaking up the band,” Bartelson said. “But I am ready to end that chapter of my life.”

Last week, Soler battled the sniffles, but still managed to win a fourth consecutive regional title with a pin over Alex Stuart of Curtis.

He went the full six minutes in the 4A quarterfinals Friday over Mead’s Trevor Senn.

“I just went six minutes and felt good, and I could have gone six more,” Soler said. “And our team had a good start.”

Three-time state champion Tahoma, which won its only 4A title in 2012, had aspirations of joining the championship fray.

It appeared Olympia’s Justin Sipila had the escape he needed in overtime to break a tie with eight seconds to go. But the referee ruled he never fully broke Bridger Beard’s grasp, and lost to the Central Valley junior, 5-4, at 132.

And Olympia’s Layn Pannkuk shocked Ryden Fu, 6-4, in the 138 quarterfinals.

The lone Tahoma semifinalist is Nick Whitehead at 126.

“It would be nice to win them all … but it is wrestling,” Tahoma coach Chris Feist said. “When our guys march through the tournament (Saturday), they have a chance to bring home a trophy. I don’t know which one yet.”

The 4A ranks also saw a two-time defending champion go down. Sunnyside’s Diego Castaneda was not only handed a 7-3 loss by Battle Ground ninth-grader James Rogers — he was slammed hard to the mat in the final seconds and stayed down for a couple of minutes.

This story was originally published February 19, 2016 at 11:38 PM with the headline "Wrestling titles, state glory still up for grabs at Mat Classic XXVIII."