February 2012
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INSIDE LOOK: Mat Classic 2012
2/13/2012
WIAA/Dairy Farmers of Washington/Les Schwab Tires Mat Classic 2012
Tacoma Dome | Tacoma, Wash.
The WIAA/Dairy Farmers of Washington/Les Schwab Tires present Mat Classic XXIV on Feb. 17-18 at the Tacoma Dome.
Start time on Friday is 10 a.m., with doors opening to the public an hour prior. A spectacle event, the State Wrestling Tournament features six tournaments simultaneously (Girls, 1B/2B, 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A) across six pods of four mats for a total layout of 24 mats. About 1,400 participants will be competing for their respective weight class state championship title, while nearly 400 staff members help to run the event. Matches resume at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Prior to the championship matches, there is a Parade of Champions which showcases Hall of Fame coaches, participants, cheerleaders, and officials at 5 p.m.
Overseeing the entire tournament is Jim Meyerhoff, former Assistant Executive Director of the WIAA, now retired. There are six tournament co-managers to handle each classification. Co-managing the 4A and 1B/2B is Marty Fortin and Shelly Thiel; 3A is Tim Graham; 2A is Pat Alexander; 1A is Carl Wenham; and for the Girls side of the tournament is Stark Porter.
According to www.Washingtonwrestlingreport.com, the boys’ side of the event will feature returning three-time State Champion Drew Templeman of 1A Orting High School in the 126lb. weight class. There are three two-time State Champions returning: 2A North Kitsap’s junior Jake Velarde in the 138lb. weight class, and 4A Mead’s seniors Jeremy Golding in the 145lb. weight class and Jordan Rogers in the 182lb. weight class.
On the mats for the Girls are two returning State Champions from 2011 with junior Rachel Archer (Toledo/Winlock High School) competing in the 106lb. weight class and senior Katrynia Todd (Auburn High School) competing at 137lb.
This year could set the stage for the first ever 5-time State Champion. If Justin Chantry, currently an 8th grader competing for Selkirk High School, wins the 106lb. weight class, it would be the first time an 8th grader has won a State Wrestling Championship. Chantry is the number one seed out of regionals at that weight class. Another highlight of this year’s event is that there may be a first ever brother and sister combination of State Champions if both 4A Todd Beamer High School’s Ares and Arian Carpio capture their first State titles after their combined 46-0 record.
History is definitely in the making! Don’t miss the excitement at the Tacoma Dome this weekend and be sure to follow our social media sites for updates throughout the weekend.
For more information visit www.wiaa.com and follow the event at:  
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