BELLINGHAM — The Sultan wrestling team qualified 15 wrestlers for state and an additional three alternates while winning the 1A Region 1 championship on Saturday.
The Turks finished with 291 points, 611/2 points ahead of Vashon, which finished second.
“It was a great accomplishment for the team and we’re really excited for winning the tournament,” Sultan head coach Garth MacDicken said. “It was a big step for us and a goal that we wanted to reach.”
Of the 15 wrestlers that qualified for next weekend’s Mat Classic, the Turks had eight wrestlers make it to the regional championship and four of them went on to win.
Sophomore David Woo won the championship at 106 pounds with a 9-7 overtime victory over Vashon freshman Luke Larson.
“That was a very exciting match,” MacDicken said. “David had a little bit of a lead going into the third period, but he ended up pulling a muscle on the side of his rib cage and gave up some points. He had a very exciting overtime period to get the takedown for the win.”
Senior James McKenzie pinned Hunter Berger, another freshman from Vashon, at 126 pounds in 1:21. One weight class up, McKenzie’s sophomore teammate Jamell Carroll pinned South Whidbey sophomore Hunter Newman in 2:51.
“James and Jamell both dominated the tournament — every match,” MacDicken said.
Sultan’s fourth regional champion was senior Brandon Webb, who defeated Mount Baker’s JT Keeney 7-6 at 195 pounds. Webb scored a takedown as time expired to earn the victory. The Mount Baker coach initially protested the call, but the officiating committee determined the call was correct and the coach dropped the protest.
“It definitely had some controversy in it, but it was a very exciting match,” MacDicken said.
With 15 wrestlers qualified, the Turks will almost certainly be in the hunt for a state championship at next weekend’s Mat Classic.
“We know we have a lot of work cut out for us,” MacDicken said. “There’s a lot of things we saw this week that we need to improve on this week going into state. There are some kids with some good chances (at state championships) and we’re definitely excited to be there and be in the hunt.”
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