Chelan Sends Wrestlers to Mat Classic in Tacoma

And They’re Off…..Chelan Wrestlers Head to State

by Dennis Rahm

A group of eight Chelan wrestlers and their coaches are on their way to Tacoma to participate in the 2019 Mat Classic this Friday and Saturday. The athletes were given a traditional and well-deserved sendoff assembly Thursday morning before making the trip to the Tacoma Dome for the Friday and Saturday state tournament.

It will be a crowded Mat Classic XXXI as the result of last weeks Regional tourneys being cancelled statewide due to inclement weather.

All participants who would have wrestled at Regionals have now advanced directly to a 32-entry championship event. In total there will be 2,500 wrestlers competing over the two days — the largest field ever for a Mat Classic.

1-A Wrestlers, including Chelan, will participate in the second session. Weigh-in will be at noon Friday, with matches starting at 2:00 p.m. All classes will participate in the third session starting at 9:45 Saturday morning, with the championship final matches to begin at 5:00 p.m. Saturday.

Congratulations to Chelan Wrestlers:

James Austin – 126
Jose Mercado – 132
Carlos Venegas – 138
Skye Malone* – 152
Erik Alcala* – 160
Angel Mendoza – 182
Skyler Gordon – 195
Adrian Martinez – 220

*District Champs

LakeChelanNow photo gallery:

The Lake Chelan School District has a long-standing tradition of sending students to state competitions. This morning, a CMS/CHS Pep Rally put the spotlight on each student-athlete before they were escorted by Chelan County Sheriff and Chelan Fire & Rescue units (with full sirens and lights) across the new bridge and to a second send-off from the students at Morgan Owings Elementary (MOE). Given the cold weather, the wrestlers ran a maze through the MOE hallways and cafeteria in order to high-5 the enthusiastic K-5 students.