PREP WRESTLING PREVIEW: 5 Wrestlers to Watch

Published 10:35 pm Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Connor Boyce, sr. Everett, 170 pounds

Boyce (above) was a bit of a surprise last season. He wrestled at 160 pounds and hadn’t participated in state the year before. According to his coach, Brien Elliott, Boyce won a string of close matches, bolstering his confidence and launching him to a second-place finish at the Class 3A state meet. “He has a great fourth gear in the late quarters to be able to turn it on,” Elliott says. “It will be fun to watch him this year. He’s working very hard right now.” With Boyce and junior Jesse Lopez (126 pounds), the Seagulls have two wrestlers ranked No. 1 in the state in their respective weight classes.

Justine Palabrica, sr. Everett, 106 pounds

Unfinished business is on Palabrica’s mind heading into the 2011-12 season. As a junior, she lost a controversial decision to Rachel Archer of Winlock in the state semifinals. With the score tied 2-2 and 20 seconds remaining in the match, Palabrica put Archer on her back for what should have been two points and a near fall, Everett coach Brien Elliott said. The referee didn’t award any points and Archer reversed to win 4-2. This season, Palabrica is second — behind Archer — in the state rankings. “(Justine) wants to see her again,” Elliott said.

Jesse Peterson, jr. Lake Stevens, 120 pounds

A year ago the Vikings won the Class 4A state title and Peterson, then a sophomore, was a big part of the Vikings’ success. He finished second at 103 pounds. Peterson lost a 4-2 decision in the final. Lake Stevens coach Brent Barnes said Peterson, who is stepping up to a higher weight class, has what it takes to make another run deep into the state bracket. “I think he works hard at it,” Barnes said. “He wrestles all year round. He’s definitely that type of kid.” Peterson is one of five Lake Stevens wrestlers ranked in the top five in the state in their respective weight classes by the Washington Wrestling Report. The others are Dakota Reynolds (113), Eric Soler (126), Kinsey Johnson (145 pounds) and Brandon Johnson (285).

Christian Mendoza, sr., Marysville Pilchuck, 132 pounds

Marysville Pilchuck coach Craig Iversen gets excited when asked to talk about Mendoza, who was a 4A state participant a year ago and is ranked ninth in the state in his weight class. “Christian is an incredible athlete,” Iversen said. “He hasn’t had as much mat time as many of the wrestlers, but he has all the tools. He’s probably the most athletic kid we’ve had in a few years. He’s pretty enjoyable to coach.” Mendoza has been known to do a standing back flip in the middle of practice and got in shape this fall by running cross country. Iversen said experiencing the state meet last year helped Mendoza as well as Chris Herbert (182 pounds) and Skylar Hatch (220). The trio of seniors will try to help MP improve on a 28th-place finish at the 2011 state meet.

George Johanson, jr., Edmonds-Woodway, heavyweight

The heavyweight class is traditionally dominated by juniors and seniors whose bodies have had time to develop. That didn’t stop Johanson from making noise last year as a sophomore. He took second in the Wesco meet and participated in the regional tournament. Thirteen of the top 16 wrestlers in the state from a year ago were seniors, which should open the door for Johanson, who has been wrestling since he was a youngster and has family lineage on his side — his older brother reached the state meet three times. The Warrior heavyweight will be a significant part of a deep Edmonds-Woodway team looking to build on an eighth-place finish at the 2011 state meet.