High School Sports
League outlooks for wrestling

The first name of Nathaniel McRae, a 145-pound wrestler from Chief Sealth High School, was incorrectly written as Anthony when this article was published. Anthony McRae, Nathaniel's older brother, also wrestled at Chief Sealth and graduated in 2001.

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SPSL North

Favorites — Enumclaw, Auburn, Kentwood, Tahoma

Contender — Auburn Riverside

Top returners — Tyler Bowles, Auburn, 103, Jr. (2nd at state); Chris Koontz, Enumclaw, 112, Sr. (6th at state at 103); Mike Caniparoli, Tahoma, 119, Sr. (two-time regional qualifier); Jake Gonzales, Enumclaw, 125, Sr., (2nd at state at 112); Grant Nakashima, Kentwood, 130/135 (4th at state at 130); Ben Guier, Kentwood, 130/135 (league champion over Nakashima); Alan Wood, Tahoma, 130, Sr. (7th at state at 119); Jason Redding, Auburn Riverside, 140, Jr. (state qualifier); Ryan Paulson, Auburn Riverside, 145, Sr. (6th at state at 135); Michael Johnson, Tahoma, 160, Jr. (2nd at state at 145); Troy Hanson, Enumclaw, 160, Sr. (6th at state); Brian Horaski, Enumclaw, 171, Sr. (7th at state); Tom Lorenson, Tahoma, 215, Sr. (state qualifier)

Impact newcomers — Chase Smith, Enumclaw, 103, Fr.; Andrew Pina, Tahoma, 275, So.

Notable — Enumclaw, fifth at state in 2003, has a 40-meet, five-year

unbeaten streak in SPSL North dual meets.

— J.R. Rardon

SPSL South

Favorites — Rogers, Spanaway Lake

Contenders — Decatur, Curtis, Emerald Ridge

Top returners — Kraig Wilson, Rogers, 103, Jr. (state qualifier); Noland Raybell, Rogers, 112, Sr. (7th at state); Dustin English, Decatur, 130, Sr. (8th at state at 119); Brandon Davis, Bethel, 119, Jr. (state qualifier); Tom Simmons, Rogers, 130, Sr. (7th at state at 125); Adam Morrison, Rogers, 135, Sr. (2nd at state at 130); Warren Kern, Spanaway Lake, 135, Sr. (2nd at state at 125); Ludovic Mea, Federal Way, 135, Sr. (6th at state at 130); Ian Richards, Spanaway Lake, 140, Sr. (4th at state at 135); Jon Bauer, Rogers, 145, Sr. (2nd at state at 140); Brent Stover, Spanaway Lake, 152, Sr. (4th at state at 140); Jim Craig, Bethel, 171, Jr. (state qualifier); Kyle Bressler, Decatur, 189, Sr. (state champion, 36-1 record); Ben Hawk, Bethel, 215, Sr. (state alternate); Ryan Bush, Rogers, 275, Sr. (state qualifier).

Impact newcomer — Jarred Hudson, Bethel, 112, So. (6th at Michigan state meet at 103 as freshman); Chrisy Watson, Bethel, 125, Sr. (girls all-American); Blake Willard, Puyallup, 145/152, Sr. (transfer, 4th at Class 3A state meet for Franklin Pierce); Thomas Haulman, Rogers, 189, Jr.

Notable — Spanaway Lake finished second at state and Rogers fourth last year from what is arguably the toughest league in Washington. The SPSL North and South combined to place five teams in the top nine and filled 14 of the 28 championship finals spots.

— J.R. Rardon

WesCo North

Favorite - Lake Stevens

Contenders — Oak Harbor, Cascade, Marysville-Pilchuck, Stanwood, Snohomish

Top returners — Lester Brown, Lake Stevens, 125, Jr. (5th at state at 112); Tony Kubec, Lake Stevens, 135, Sr. (3rd at state at 130); Norman Orr, Marysville-Pilchuck, 152/160, Sr. (5th at state at 152); Matt Leonard, Lake Stevens, 215, Sr. (4th at state); Casey Audette, Mount Vernon, 130/135, Sr. (broken elbow, missed most of last season, state qualifier, 8th at state as sophomore); Johnny Gilbertson, Cascade, 112, So. (5th at state at 103); Brent Larson, Cascade, 152, Sr. (8th at state in 2002); Alex Hopkins, Marysville-Pilchuck, 125, Jr. (state qualifier); Chris Mather, Stanwood, 119, So. (regional qualifier); Riley Cornett, Stanwood, 145, Jr. (regional qualifier); Bryan Hise, Snohomish, 119, Jr. (regional qualifier); Casey Fortin, Snohomish, 171, Jr. (state alternate); Spencer Whitlock, Snohomish, 189, Sr. (regional qualifier); Patrick O'Brien, Oak Harbor, 171, Sr. (state qualifier); Tony Nicolas, Oak Harbor, 135, Sr.; Blake Ward, Oak Harbor, 215, Sr.; Ross Lampers, Monroe, 130, So. (regional qualifier); Kurt Gudde, Arlington, 140, Sr. (regional qualifier).

Impact newcomers — Kelly Kubec, Lake Stevens, 103, Fr.; Kyle Newman, Mount Vernon, 103, Fr.; Jeremy Soptich, Oak Harbor, 152/160, Jr.; Jeff Lang, Oak Harbor, 130, So.; Matt Barnes, Marysville-Pilchuck, 112, Jr. (state qualifier at 103, transfer from Stanwood); Matt Nye, Marysville-Pilchuck, 119, Jr. (regional qualifier, transfer from Capital); Jacob Grillo, Monroe, 112, So.; Michael Guzman, Arlington, 112, So.

Notable — Lake Stevens shoots for its 15th consecutive conference or division crown and hopes to keep alive its league dual-meet win streak dating to 1993. The Vikings have state-title contenders in Brown, Kubec and Leonard. The younger Kubec, a freshman with a wealth of experience, gives the Vikings another solid title shot. Oak Harbor appears the only team with enough firepower with a shot at halting Lake Stevens' success.

— Matt Massey

WesCo South

Favorite — Everett

Contenders — Mariner, Kamiak, Meadowdale, Jackson

Top returners — Charlie Eaton, Jackson, 130, Sr. (regional qualifier); Jacob Houvener, Jackson, 189, Jr. (regional qualifier); Kevin Fox, Jackson, 160, Sr.; Harrison Warner, Jackson, 215, So. (regional qualifier); Tyler Hill, Everett, 119, Sr. (state alternate at 112); Bryan Irwin, Everett, 125, Jr. (state qualifier); Phil Jordan, Everett, 275, Sr. (state qualifier); Justin Boyce, Everett, 171, So. (regional qualifier); Zach Ordona, Everett, 135, (state alternate at 130); Brian Jenson, Shorewood, 135, Jr. (regional qualifier); Colin Ferris, Shorewood, 140, Sr. (regional qualifier); Kyle Mingo, Lynnwood, 135, Sr. (regional qualifier); Brandon Neal, Lynnwood, 140, Sr. (regional qualifier); Tesir Alhussaini, Lynnwood, 145, Sr. (state qualifier in 2002); Dan Munro, Kamiak, 125, Jr.; Chris Munoz, Kamiak, 171, Jr.; Trenton Tuiasosopo, Mariner, 215, Sr. (3rd in regionals); Michael Bell, Mariner, 189, Sr. (4th in regionals, state qualifier); Dan Bush, Mariner, 130, Sr. (regional qualifier); Andrew Dunn, Mariner, 145, Sr. (regional qualifier); Chris Miller, Mariner, 275, Jr.; Shad McVay, Mountlake Terrace, 119/125, Sr. (regional qualifier); Tylor Gentry, Mountlake Terrace, 112, Jr. (regional qualifier); Kody Cundy, Mountlake Terrace, 130/135, So. (regional qualifier).

Impact newcomers — Peter McDuffie, Jackson, 112, Fr.; Sean Perez, Jackson, 119, So.; Andrew Stiger, Everett, 152, Fr.; Michael Yun, Shorewood, 103, Fr.; Koby Lines, Shorewood, 152, Fr.; Jordan Williams, Lynnwood, 112, Fr.; John Baldwin, Kamiak, 103, So.; Bryce Call, Mountlake Terrace, 130, Fr.

Notable — Everett retains enough talent to win the balanced division for the third season in a row. The Seagulls have two sets of twins and a brother tandem on the team.

— Matt Massey

KingCo 4A

Favorite — Bothell

Contenders — Woodinville, Eastlake, Inglemoor

Top returners — Scott Labrash, Bothell, 189, Sr. (2nd at state); Steven Sewell, Bothell, 125, Sr. (state qualifier); Justin Davidson, Bothell, 119, Sr. (4th at state); Mikey Sewell, Inglemoor, 145, Sr. (state champion); Statton Wagoner, Inglemoor, 145, Sr.; Matt Rose, Eastlake, 130-135, Sr.; Alec Anderson, Eastlake, 145/152, Jr.; Brett Selk, Eastlake, 103/119, Jr.; Matt Johnson, Woodinville, 130, Jr.; Jack Andrews, Woodinville, 189, Sr.

Impact newcomers — David Gordon, Bothell, 103, So.; Zack Smith, Bothell, 140, So.; Brandon Wagoner, Inglemoor, 125, So.; Alec Hovard, Inglemoor, 160, So.; Alex Guzman, Woodinville, 103, So.

Notable — Bothell is the clear favorite. Many of the top teams last season graduated a lot of wrestlers. Woodinville, Eastlake and Inglemoor should be the best of the second level of the league.

— Mason Kelley

KingCo 3A

Favorites — Liberty and Mercer Island

Contenders — Cedarcrest, Issaquah, Mount Si, Bellevue

Top returners — Bj Ward, Liberty, 140, Sr. (state champion); Justin Studer, Liberty, 152, Sr. (2nd at state); David Howard, Cedarcrest, 112, So. (6th at state); Brad Williams, Liberty, 152, Sr. (state qualifier); Scott Winslow, Liberty, 189, Sr.; Nate Dybevik, Issaquah, 119, Sr., (8th at state); Leilani Akiyama, 112, Jr. (state qualifier); Matt Haas, Mount Si, 130, So. (5th at state in 119); Ben Steel, Mount Si, 145, Sr.; Aaron Cahoon, Mercer Island, 135/140, Sr. (state qualifier); Andrew Parker, Mercer Island, 152, Sr.; John Dixon, Mercer Island, 171, Sr.

Impact newcomers — Zach Bartholomew, Liberty, heavyweight, Sr.; Eric Spring, Mercer Island, 145, Jr.; Kyle Agnew, Mercer Island, 135/140, Jr.; Pano Dreves, Mount Si, 152, Jr. (comes to Mount Si after living in Japan); Kyle Heath, Mount Si, 103, Fr.; Dan Claussen, Cedarcrest, 130, Fr.; Chris Cole, Cedarcrest, 171, So.; Taylor Sole, Newport, 135, Jr.; Ben Leapai, Newport, 215, Jr.; Joseph Borin, 171, Issaquah, Fr.; Ryan White, Issaquah, 140, Fr.

Notable — Mercer Island returns seven wrestlers who placed third or higher in the KingCo 3A tournament. Liberty has seven who went to regionals.

— Mason Kelley

Metro League

Favorites — West Seattle, O'Dea

Contenders — Bainbridge, Eastside Catholic, Bishop Blanchet, Nathan Hale

Top returners — Curtis Basket, West Seattle, 215, Jr.; Lewis Bryon, West Seattle, 275, Jr. (state qualifier, 3rd at regionals at 215); Eric Hallberg, West Seattle, 125, Sr. (2nd in Metro at 119); Ionica Hanson, West Seattle, 140, Jr. (state qualifier, 3rd at regionals, Metro champion); Eddie Hume, West Seattle, 145, Jr.; Tyler Folkman, Eastside Catholic, 112, Sr. (alternate to state, 2nd in Metro); Chris Spillman, Eastside Catholic, 215, Sr. (Metro champ at 171); Eddie Lobdell, Eastside Catholic, 140, Sr. (regional qualifier); Phil Hayes, O'Dea, 275, Sr. (7th at state, 3rd at regionals, 2nd in Metro); John Kenney, O'Dea, 103, Jr. (Metro champ); Chris Martin, O'Dea, 130, Sr. (Metro champ); Mike Rittman, O'Dea, 135, Sr. (state qualifier, 3rd at regionals); Rigel Shaw, O'Dea, 160, Sr. (2nd in Metro); Thomas Maciel, Chief Sealth, 112, Jr. (2nd in Metro at 103); Tali Talakai, Chief Sealth, 152, Sr. (6th at state at 140, 4th at regionals, 2nd in Metro); Mark Malijan, Bishop Blanchet, 119, Sr. (state qualifier, 3rd at regionals, Metro champ); John Michael-King, Bainbridge, 130, Sr. (state qualifier, 3rd at regionals, 2nd in Metro); Zach Smith, Bainbridge, 125, Jr. (state qualifier, 4th at regionals, Metro champ); Billy Thomas, Bainbridge, 171, Jr.; Drew McDonald, Ingraham, 171, Sr. (4th in Metro)

Impact newcomers — Michael McRae, Chief Sealth, 145, Jr.; Brian Robert, Bainbridge, 140, So.; Beau Green, Bainbridge, 145, So.; Kyle Hoshi, Eastside Catholic, 103, Fr.; Brandon Miller, Ingraham, 103, Fr.

Notable — Defending champion Bainbridge lost six wrestlers to graduation and some members of last year's team did not turn out. O'Dea, which had its 12-year reign as Metro champion broken last year, and West Seattle are co-favorites. Rainier Beach and Cleveland are combining teams because of low turnouts.

— Austin Burton

Seamount League King Division

Favorites — Highline, Mount Rainier

Contenders — Renton, Kennedy

Top returners — Vinh Tran, Highline, 112, Sr. (5th at state); Steve Duncan, Highline, 130/135, Jr. (state qualifier at 125); Casey Rice, Highline, 145, Sr. (5th at state at 140); Tony Dorward, Mount Rainier, 145/152, Sr. (6th at state at 145); Tim Perales, Highline, 275, Sr. (defending league champ).

Impact newcomer — Ricky Dorward, Mount Rainier, 140, Fr.

Notable — Highline dominated last year's league championship tournament, winning by more than 150 points, and was treated very gently by graduation. The Pirates return six league champions and 11 regional qualifiers.

— J.R. Rardon

Seamount League Pierce Division

Favorite — White River

Contenders — Clover Park, Fife, Peninsula

Top returners — Paul Klein, White River, 125/130, Sr. (state champion at 112); Adam Martinez, Clover Park, 119, Jr. (state qualifier); Devon Palmer, Fife, 119, Jr. (state qualifier); Demetrius Johnson, Washington, 125, Sr. (state qualifier); Jake Amadeo, Clover Park, 125, Jr. (state qualifier); Matt Roll, Clover Park, 130, Sr. (2nd at state at 125); Tony Underwood, Peninsula, 130, Jr. (7th at state at 125); J.J. Westover, White River, 130/135, Sr. (7th at state at 119); Brandon Buhle, Fife, 130, Sr. (state qualifier); Andrew Underwood, Peninsula, 145, Jr. (7th at state at 135); Joe Vanaman, Fife, 145, Sr. (7th at state at 140); Sean McNulty, White River, 145/152, Jr. (8th at state at 135); Brian McCarver, Franklin Pierce, 145, Sr. (state qualifier); Omar Petty, Clover Park, 160, Jr. (7th at state at 152); Dustin Haukenberry, White River, 171, Jr. (state champion); Jake Friedman, Peninsula, 171, Jr. (injured at regional tournament); Brad Padgett, White River, 189, Jr. (5th at state at 171); Kevin Lind, Fife, 215, Jr. (state qualifier); Cliff Reader, Clover Park, 215, Sr. (state qualifier)

Impact newcomer — Jack Prince, Franklin Pierce, 135, Fr.

Notable — With Klein and Haukenberry, White River is the only 3A program in the state with two returning state champs. As sophomores, Haukenberry and Padgett were the only non-seniors to place at 171 at state.

— J.R. Rardon

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