ARLINGTON — Arlington’s wrestling team sent six kids to the State Tournament after they competed at the 4A Regional Tournament on Feb. 15.

The qualifying six went to the Mat Classic at the Tacoma Dome, which began on Feb. 21 and continued to Feb. 22. The results were not available by press time.

“We were happy with the performance,” Arlington head coach Rick Iversen said. “We’re looking forward to the tournaments.”

Sophomore Jeremy Nygard won the Regional Tournament, in which he pinned his first two opponents, and won a decision against his last opponent. “He’s won every tournament he’s been in,” Iversen said.

Nygard has dropped weight from 113 pounds to 106 pounds during the season.

Iversen has high expectations for Nygard as he enters the tournament. “He is rated in the top three in the state,” Iversen said. “We believe he’s going to win the tournament.”

Senior Scotty Bardell took third in the 152-pound weight class. Bardell is a seasoned wrestler, whom Iversen said had 10 or 11 years of wrestling under his belt.

Senior Tyler Lindberg also qualified in the 285-pound weight class. Lindberg had his first experience as a varsity wrestler this year and was described as a true Cinderella story by Iversen.

Since entering varsity, Lindberg was the most improved wrestler, Iversen said.

“He has just improved and improved all year long,” Iversen said. “Now he is in the State Tournament. He came out of nowhere.”

Sophomore Jaylyn Rutledge advanced to the Mat Classic as well, as an alternate in the 100-pound weight class.

Go to the Arlington Times’ website at www.arlingtontimes.com to see the results of the Mat Classic.

Heading to the tournament, Iversen wanted to give a mention to wrestling coach Barry Knot who lost his life to pancreatic cancer.

Knott has been nominated into the Washington State Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame.