By Aaron Coe
Herald Writer
LAKE STEVENS – Lake Stevens wrestler Burke Barnes, who will attempt to become only the third grappler in state history to win four state championships, will miss approximately four weeks with a rib injury.
Barnes suffered one broken rib and cracked another in the 130-pound championship bout of last weekend’s Tri-State tournament at North Idaho College.
The injury is not expected to keep Barnes from winning another championship medal. He expects to be back well before the postseason begins on Feb. 1. The state tournament is Feb. 15-16.
“I don’t think it’ll cause too much of a problem,” Barnes said. “With Christmas break, I won’t really miss that much, maybe just a tournament and a couple of matches.”
The senior was injured during the second round when Ryan Mendez of Hermiston, Ore., landed on Barnes’ chest when the two tumbled out of bounds.
Barnes won by an 8-5 decision to claim his third straight title at the tournament, which features many of the top wrestlers from the Pacific Northwest.
Barnes expects to be able to begin running and riding a stationary bicycle in two weeks.
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