Meadowdale’s Ciaran Ball and Lynnwood’s Hunter Lord had high hopes at the Class 3A state wrestling championships.
Ball and Lord came into Mat Classic XXIV having won regional titles a week earlier.
While the two experienced some disappointment at the tournament, the sophomore standouts both made an impression in their first appearance at state and left with medals on Feb. 18.
Ball, who also won the district crown, finished fifth in the 195-pound division, while Lord took eighth at 152.
“I felt I could have done better,” Ball said.
Lord had the same sentiment.
But earning some hardware definitely eased the disappointment for both wrestlers.
Ball was especially happy to have the opportunity to face Yelm’s Jeffrey Leuth in the fifth/sixth place match. Leuth pinned Ball at the 3-minute, 46-second mark in a quarterfinal match on Feb. 17. In the rematch, Ball recorded a fall at 4:41.
Last year Ball became sick at the start of the postseason and was unable to wrestle at districts. His first appearance at state provided plenty of memories.
“It was a great experience,” Ball said. “I wasn’t there last year. I didn’t know what it felt like. It was an amazing feeling.”
One of the highlights for Ball was the parade of athletes before the finals. All the state placers marched onto the floor of the Tacoma Dome.
Lord also savored the moment.
“It was a lifetime experience,” he said. “It was one of the most fun things I’ve ever done. It felt good. You walk around (the Tacoma Dome) and everybody is looking at you and everybody is applauding.”
Lord won his first round match by a fall at 1:08 before losing a 16-9 decision in the quarterfinals. Dropping down to the consolation bracket meant Lord had to refocus and make earning a medal his goal.
“I wanted to get that medal,” Lord said. “I just went out there as hard as I could.”
Ball also won his first round match in impressive fashion with a pin at the 40-second mark.
“I came out really confident,” he said.
Ball was ahead 2-1 when Leuth surprised him by recording the pin.
“That got me pretty upset,” Ball said.
The consolation bracket consisted of three matches one after the other.
“There’s not much time to get prepared,” Ball said. “You’ve just got to be tough.”
Ball appreciated the support from fans and especially from freshman Tim Smith, who was his practice partner this season. Smith worked with Ball all week, even though he was not competing at state.
“He helped me do really good preparing for the week,” Ball said. “He was cheering me on and giving me pep talks at state.”
Lord is looking forward to next year and plans to work hard in the offseason. Both he and Ball wrestle freestyle. That will be starting up soon.
“I just need to push myself hard and work hard in practice every day,” Lord said.
Lord wasn’t the only Lynnwood wrestler to earn a medal. Teammate Zack Calkins finished seventh at 126.
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