ATM senior headed to state tournament

Local wrestlers found the going tough at last weekend’s regional championships.

Archbishop Murphy’s Joe Suchan (135) and Lynnwood’s Tesir Alhussaini (145) were the only area wrestlers to advance to this weekend’s Mat Classic XVI at the Tacoma Dome.

Suchan took first place at the Class 1A/B Region I tournament, while Alhussaini finished third at the Class 3A Region I tournament.

Two Archbishop Murphy wrestlers are state alternates. Jack Reeves (112) and Jason Ramback (215) each finished third.

Alhussaini, a No. 3 seed, upset second-seeded Ben Steel of Mount Si in the quarterfinals. He then dropped a 5-3 decision in overtime to Squalicum’s Mason Webb before defeating No. 1 seed Brad Williams of Liberty 15-5 in a consolation bout.

Alhussaini then defeated Jordan Frisbee of Sedro-Woolley 8-4 in the consolation finals.

“I think the big thing is he kept his composure after losing in overtime,” Lynnwood coach Gustova Anaya said. “He was pretty close to going to the finals.”

Alhussaini also lost only one match at sub-regionals a week earlier.

“He’s learning from (the losses),” Anaya said. “It’s all part of getting ready for the state tournament.”

Alhussaini carries a 29-5 record into state. He faces what Anaya describes as a wide open weight class.

“He really needs to peak at state,” Anaya said. “I don’t think he’s done that yet. The best of Tesir is yet to come.”

Meadowdale’s R.J. Power will be an alternate at 189 pounds after finishing fifth at regionals.

Edmonds-Woodway, Mountlake Terrace and Jackson did not advance any wrestlers to state.

“It was tough,” Edmonds-Woodway coach Mike Hanchett said of the Class 4A Region I tournament. “We did not get there (state) for the first time in 24 years.”

The Warriors’ top finisher was sub-regional champion Steve Korbein, who placed sixth at 135.

First-round matches are scheduled to start at 10 a.m. today (Friday, Feb. 20) at the Tacoma Dome. Finals are set for 5 p.m. tomorrow.