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By Byrne Bennett
The Record-Times 

Eight grapplers qualify for state

 

Last updated 2/16/2023 at 10:04am

Byrne Bennett | The Record-Times

Reardan junior 170-pounder Conner Kline performs a head-and-arm during the Region 3 Tournament Saturday, Feb. 11. The Screaming Eagles had eight wrestlers, including Routh, qualify for the state Mat Classic

REARDAN - Eight Screaming Eagles earned berths in the state wrestling tournament after qualifying at the WIAA 1B/2B Region 3 Tournament, Saturday, Feb. 11. The wrestlers will vie for championship medals at Mat Classic XXXIV in Tacoma Feb. 17-18.

Preston Neufeld, Conner Kline and Tristin Burril went undefeated in their regional matches to win first place in their respective weight class. Neufeld pinned both of his opponents, Burril pinned all three of his, and Kline pinned two of his three opponents.

With their first-place finish, each wrestler earned a bye in the first round at the state tournament.

Neufeld, who boasts a season record of 37-2, goes into the tournament with high hopes.

"Last year I was excited to go to state," Neufeld said. "This year I'm more focused and am expecting to come home with the title."

With his three wins at regionals, Kline's record stands at 32-10.

"I expect state to be a difficult tournament," Conner Kline said. "I'll consider it a success if I do my best, especially if I win."

Burril, who wrestles in the 220 pound weight class sports a record of 32-13 on the season.

"My goal is to go out there, do my best and see where it takes me," Burril said. "But I'm hoping to bring home a medal."

Troy Routh won two of his three matches at regionals to earn a silver medal. He will face Matthew Gray from Goldendale in the first round of the state tournament.

Joey Matusik, Carson Kline and Carson Durbin finished 3-1 to place third in their respective weight class, each earning a ticket to the state tournament. In the opening round at state, Matusik will face Bryer Wesson from Darrington, Kline pairs off against Wyeland Lomedico from North Beach and Durbin faces Sebastian Qunneke from Forks.

Vaea Lamoureaux, Reardan's sole female competitor, pinned two of her three opponents to finish 2-1 and a second-place finish at the regional tournament. Taking a record of 33-9 to Tacoma, LaMoureaux will wrestle Mayan Riojas from Toppenish in her opening match.

"I want to go into the tournament without having expectations for myself," LaMoureaux said. "It means a lot to me to go to state since I'm making history for our team. I'm the first girl in school history to make it to state."

Reardan head coach Justin Neufeld doesn't believe his team will compete for a team championship but has high expectations for several of his athletes.

"We may have a couple of champions," Justin Neufeld said. "I think Preston, Conner, Tristin and Vaea have an excellent shot at making it to the finals. The tournament will be a success if everyone makes weight, tries their hardest and comes away learning something."

 

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