Mat Classic notebook: Edmonds-Woodway’s Hanchett wins league, loses mustache

TACOMA — Talk about a hairy situation.

Edmonds-Woodway head wrestling coach Mike Hanchett made a deal with his team this season: If E-W won the Wesco South dual-meet title, he would shave his mustache.

It was a big commitment on Hanchett’s part considering he had a mustache for 36 years. In late January after the Warriors clinched the league championship — the first in wrestling for an Edmonds high school since 1988, according to Hanchett — the coach followed through on his promise.

Wrestlers laughed and took pictures during the ceremonial buzz of lip fuzz, he said. It was a strange change for Hanchett.

“It took a little bit of time to get used to shaving again. And it felt like my lip went into hibernation,” he said.

This is Hanchett’s 29th and final season coaching wrestlers in Edmonds. Earlier this month he was named 4A head coach of the year in the district and region.

E-W’s six 2009 state qualifiers are the most in team history, Hanchett said. Two Warriors advanced to today’s semifinals: sophomore Andrew Vulliet (103 pounds) and senior Rudy Johanson (189).

Overseas updates

Even though he’s still serving in Iraq, Doug Baer will get daily updates about how his favorite wrestlers fare this weekend. Baer, a member of the National Guard, is serving with the U.S. Army in Iraq. Baer, 38, was going to be Kamiak’s head wrestling coach this season until he received deployment orders this past fall. Kamiak interim head coach Tracy Regan said Friday that he will e-mail Baer a recap after each day of competition at Mat Classic.

Kamiak has two participants: Colton Kusilek (125 pounds) and Anthony Jacobson (140). Both wrestlers won their first-round matches, which means Regan already had exciting news to share with Baer, a contracting officer’s representative for the 81st Heavy Brigade Combat Team in Ramadi.

Family pride

What’s in a name? For Kamiak’s Kusilek, there’s a ton of pride. That’s why the senior had his last name tattooed on his upper back. He got it this past spring while in Las Vegas for a freestyle regional competition. Kusilek said his dad agreed to let him get the tattoo if he placed top-eight at the 2008 state tournament. He finished fifth at 119 pounds.

Everett student sings anthem

Before the evening session began Friday, Everett High student Paige Anstett sang the national anthem, generating a big cheer from the crowd. Anstett is the sister of Jake Anstett, who last year placed second for Everett in the 3A 285-pound division at Mat Classic.

Flashy records

Here are updated season records for local wrestlers who advanced to the semifinals in their respective tournament brackets.

4A boys

103 pounds — Ryan Rodorigo, Lake Stevens (28-10); Andrew Vulliet, Edmonds-Woodway (33-3)

112 pounds — Josh Heinzer, Lake Stevens (31-3)

119 pounds — Jack Stilwell, Lake Stevens (26-4)

125 pounds — Sean Anderson, Lake Stevens (24-6); Colton Kusilek, Kamiak (33-3)

130 pounds — Sam Ottow, Snohomish (34-2)

135 pounds — Stefan St. Marie, Snohomish (37-0)

145 pounds — Jacob Anderson, Lake Stevens (32-8)

152 pounds — George King, Lake Stevens (28-1); Micah Morrill, Snohomish (34-7)

160 pounds — Jake Welch, Lake Stevens (26-10); Chris Myers, Arlington (36-1)