Enumclaw High will be scrambling for its third state wrestling title in the past four years Friday and Saturday at the Tacoma Dome.
The Hornets cruised to the regional title Saturday with four title winners and four runners-up for 211 points. Yelm, the defending 3A state winner that edged EHS by six points last season, was second with 199.
“We’re right there,” coach Lee Reichert said. “We have the numbers like everybody else does.”
Reichert predicts a tight race. University, Sunnyside, Kelso and Yelm bring as many wrestlers or one less than EHS to the Dome.
“But what a great weekend. We’ve got what we need to make a run at it. Eight in the finals is tough to beat. That’s the most we’ve ever had at a regional tournament.”
Josh Musick, 152 pounds, and Kario Wallin, 160, both state runners-up in 2010, won regional titles and are expected to see the state finals Saturday. Lucas Somera, 135, and TJ Cormier, 215, also won titles.
Defending champion Hunter File, 130, and Tyke Reid, 112, Marcus Nichols, 140, and Colton Malek, 189, finished second.
Travis Reano, 125, finished fifth to fill the Hornets’ final spot at state.
Colton Sambrano just missed a spot at sixth.
During the state tournament, Reichert will also be honored for his induction into the state Hall of Fame.
Reichert called it a lifetime dream to be placed with others who enjoy the sport and helping kids. He said the friendships he’s made, the families he’s met and the communities that have supported him and his program make it special.
White River
Ten White River High wrestlers venture into the Tacoma Dome Friday aiming for the 2A state wrestling team title, or a top 10 finish.
The Hornets coasted to the regional title Saturday at Franklin Pierce, but will have to get through Deer Park, Othello, Chehalis and a host of other schools to get to the state title.
“It’s a dog fight, 2A’s tough,” coach Joe Klein said. “We have our work cut out for us. When you get to state anything can happen; it’s a different ball game.
“We haven’t had a regional championship in a while,” he said. “I was very happy this weekend. To win regionals and take 10 to state.”
Trevor Kurtz, Richard Geddes, Brandon Short, Austin Shirey, Caden Pugmire, Brennan Gulin, Noah Geehan, Tyler Kilcup, Jeff Kisner and Dave Meagher hit the mats in the opening round of competition.
After the Hornets’ 188.5-point regional title Saturday, they’re looking like contenders. Klahowya was second with 162.
Pugmire and Kisner were WRHS’s champions, Pugmire with a 14-8 decision at 160 pounds and Kisner pinning Steilacoom’s Travis Pine in the third round at 215.
Short, 135, Shirey, 140, and Meagher, 285, were runners-up.
Geddes, 112, Gulin, 160,and Geehan, 171, were third-place finishers. Kurtz, 112, and Kilcup, 189, finished fourth.
Chris Skinner finished fifth to serve as an alternate.
