A fourth to be reckoned with

Warden wins AB state title at Mat Classic

TACOMA — Warden head coach Rick Bowers told his wrestlers that a fourth consecutive state title would be won in the trenches of the consolation finals Saturday.

That's exactly what happened.

Without the benefit of a single state champion, the Cougars muscled their way to a team title with a total team effort at the Mat Classic XVII in the Tacoma Dome over the weekend. Of the 17 wrestlers Warden took to state, 16 scored points. Ten earned medals by finishing in the top eight.

"That's the only way we could win it," Bowers said. "We weren't going to win it the way we did last year, with all those finalists. The tournament was on the line and we had to take care of business."

Warden scored 142.5 team points, 30 more than second-place Liberty Bell.

Defending state champion Carlos Hernandez had Warden's best chance at an individual title at 215 pounds. He breezed through the quarter- and semifinals, pinning both Jeb Heindselman of Okanogan and Brian Dellinger of Concrete in the first round. He advanced to the championship match against Chase Campbell of Kalama, who he faced three times this season, losing two.

Hernandez fell behind early and was unable to score any major points. He lost 6-4.

"Campbell is a power wrestler," Bowers said. "(Hernandez) had to get good shots on him and he failed to do that."

Kevin Bowers, who sat out last season battling cancer, returned to state hoping to earn a medal at 171 pounds. He advanced to the semifinals before falling to Josh Campbell of Colfax.

Campbell ended up winning the title, and Bowers took the eight place medal.

"I was just pleased Kevin could be here after what he went through last year," said Rick Bowers, Kevin's coach and father. "He wanted to do a little better, but in light of all the things he's been through, I'm good with it."

Stephen Elizalde got shut out 10-0 by eventual champion Daniel Matthews of Freeman in the semifinals, setting up a match for third-place against Arturo Barajas of Royal, a wrestler he was 3-2 against in tough matches during the season.

Elizalde took two overtimes to win, securing a third place finish at state.

Alan Martinez fought his way through the loser's bracket during most of the final day and earned fourth place at 125 pounds.

Despite tough individual losses, Bowers said Warden met the overall goal.

"Personally, we had some disappointments, but we got what we came for," he said.