Local wrestlers found the going tough at last weekend’s regional championships.
Tesir Alhussaini was the only area wrestler to advance to this weekend’s Mat Classic XVI at the Tacoma Dome. The Lynnwood senior took third in the 145-pound division at the Class 3A Region I tournament.
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. Edmonds-Woodway is losing only four seniors and is bringing back a large contingent of freshmen and sophomores.
“They did a good job this year,” Hanchett said. “We should see some good growth out of everybody.”
The Hawks didn’t have any top-six placers but coach Kanoe Vierra was pleased his young team got to experience the regional tournament.
Out of eight regional participants or alternates, only two are seniors.
The tough competition will only benefit Mountlake Terrace in the future. The South Puget Sound League’s North Division and the Wesco North Division secured 46 out of 54 state berths.
“If you want to get better, you have to wrestle the best,” Vierra said. “It’s always good to have that kind of experience.”
Two Archbishop Murphy wrestlers are state alternates. Jack Reeves (112) and Jason Ramback (215) each finished third at Class 1A/B Region I championships.
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.
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