Burns’ turn to shine

Published 9:00 pm Saturday, February 17, 2007

TACOMA – The way Parker Burns saw it, he didn’t expect too much. He simply craved an appropriate reward for all that he’d gone through.

For three long seasons as a member of the Everett High School wrestling team, Burns was stuck behind teammate Justin Boyce, who was a year older and competed in the same weight division.

But Boyce, a 2005 state champion and a 2006 state runner-up, graduated last year. So, finally, this season was Burns’ chance to shine.

He seized the opportunity.

Burns, a senior, capped an undefeated season with a long-awaited Class 3A state championship Saturday at Mat Classic XIX. Burns won a 13-6 decision over Mount Si’s Charles Moetului in the final at the Tacoma Dome to end the season with a perfect record of 31-0.

“I’ve wanted this. I’m not a selfish guy, but I worked my butt off,” said Burns.

Last season Burns placed sixth at state. He and Boyce both reached the semifinals, but Burns forfeited to allow Boyce to rest for the final – an admirable but frustrating nod of respect to an upperclassmen.

Burns still practices against Boyce and thanked his former teammate for helping to make him a better wrestler.

Burns, a three-time state qualifier who won district and regional titles the past two weekends, psyched himself up for Mat Classic with a bit of positive thinking: “I told myself, ‘No one wants it more than you.’” And no one possibly could want a title more, he said, because they didn’t understand how it felt to be stuck in the shadows.

Casey Finnicum might not relate to Burns’ particular plight, but, like Burns, he experienced the joy of winning a state title Saturday.

Finnicum, a Mountlake Terrace junior, won a 5-0 decision against Jake Conner of Mountain View in the Class 4A 171-pound championship. Finnicum is Terrace’s first state champ in 22 years, Terrace coach Kanoe Vierra said.

A three-time state placer, Finnicum said his improved upper-body strength made a big difference this season. It helped him finish first after taking seventh and sixth the past two seasons.

“When you’re strong (in the upper body), it’s a world of difference. You just have that much more force over your opponent,” said Finnicum (34-2).

Finnicum’s mental approach also helped him place first, Vierra said: “We tried to get him focused on just wrestling and not worrying about what’s gonna happen at the end of the season. He went out and he tried to improve every match.” The other local 4A finalists were Sam Ottow of Monroe (119) and Shorewood’s Tim Hester (189). Ottow, a sophomore, lost a 4-3 decision against Kevin Tao of Tahoma. Ottow (35-6) took a 2-1 lead with a takedown in the third period but Tao rallied to win.

The runner-up finish by Hester (24-2) matches the best performance ever by a Shorewood wrestler, Thunderbirds coach Arnie Moreno said.

“What he’s doing for our program is going to have a great effect on us for years to come,” Moreno said before the finals.

Sedro-Woolley won its sixth straight 3A team title. Everett (sixth place) was the top local 3A team.

Everett finished with six top-eight finishers. Seagulls coach Brien Elliott said he believes it’s the most in school history. Besides Burns, the team’s highest placers were Matt Beck (third, 130), Cole Anderson (third, 145) and John Raby (fourth, 285).

Elliott said he hoped that seven of his nine state qualifiers would place, but they all impressed him with their effort and behavior. “I’m proud of our kids just as far as their character,” Elliott said. “They do well in school and keep their noses clean.” Burns got an early takedown in the 215 final and led 9-2 after two periods. After winning, he said he felt extremely relieved. He said a few years ago he never dreamed he could win a state title.

Burns thanked his parents, Tim and Ann Burns, for being his biggest supporters. They helped him believe.