RENTON With everybodys season on the line the pressure at the 3A Regional wrestling championships was palpable.
The Feb. 9 meet pitted the Eagles against the toughest out of district competition from around the area, including West Seattle teams that should have been at a different regional. Weather forced the Seattle schools to stay on this side of the mountains for regionals, as opposed to driving to Wenatchee. They changed the brackets from eight to 16 wrestlers, but still kept the number of state qualifiers at three per category.
The season ended for Arlingtons Stephen White, Justin Goheen and Danny Pierce, all of whom were scheduled as alternates in the tourney. All three put together impressive seasons this year, with Pierce and White set to graduate. Goheen, just a sophomore, will return next season knowing how close he was to seeing the Tacoma Dome floor.
Of the wrestlers for Arlington that were able to participate, six will advance on to the state competition, and one will go as an alternate. Matt Hale finished his season in seventh place at 140 pounds and Mark Davis came in sixth at heavyweight.
Nathan Shortt will make the first appearance by a freshman wrestler from Arlington at state in 14 years. He will be there as a 135 pounder, a remarkable achievement for a freshman given the competition level at that category.
To have a freshman in his weight class speaks to the amount of time hes spent wrestling, said Coach Doug Byers. Its really unheard of, it hasnt happened around here in a long time.
Senior Dom Mangini qualified in the 140 pound class, overcoming a number of injury and personal problems during the year to do so.
When you see the look on these guys faces, you can sense how bad they wanted it, said Byers. Theres more intensity at the regional than even the state meet because guys know what is at stake. You get into those semi-final matches and the drama is so thick you can cut it with a knife.
Jesse Bosley will be an alternate to state at 152 pounds, in a controversial decision. Bosley lost out to a West Seattle wrestler, one who did not belong at the regional in Renton. Because the weather forced the rule change Coach Byers will appeal the Bosley decision to the state governing board.
We got dealt from the bottom of the deck, said Byers. Eight kids were here that shouldnt have been here and that pushed Jesse out.
Chris Myers of the Eagles made his case for state by winning a triple-overtime thriller against Everetts Taylor Boyce. Myers and Boyce battled to a standstill for three rounds and two overtimes before Myers made a triple overtime escape to win 1-0.
Richard Perkins came through the consolation bracket to finish third at 215 pounds, good enough for a state invite. His showing concluded an impressive display by the Arlington heavyweights where Jordan Anderson also qualified at 189 and Bryant Dickerson at 285.
You get the best hugs youll ever get in your life, said Byers. Jordan Anderson came off the mat crying at 189. Its a culmination of all the hard work and all the years. Its a great feeling.