Cougars are champs again

TACOMA - It had been six seasons since Warden's last state title in wrestling before the Cougars descended upon Tacoma and Mat Classic XXIII this weekend.

Yes, they came back to the site of the state finals as a 2B/1B school for the first time in decades but regardless, competition is competition, and winning is winning.

So that's why this weekend's state team title trophy is still another sweet one to add to the collection for Warden and coach Rick Bowers who claim their eighth state championship as they blew past the rest of the field with 150.5 points, setting the eight-man brackets record score.

"After last weekend we knew we were in an advantageous position because we had twice as many wrestlers as Kittitas and Reardan," Warden head coach Rick Bowers said. "We knew if we wrestled the way we should we would be in good shape."

Kittitas finished second with 78 points.

The Cougars were led by the three state titles of Javier Tapia (112-pounds), J.P. Martinez (119-pounds), and Sam Suarez (140-pounds).

Tapia made easy work of Branden Medina of Brewster, recording a first-period pin after exchanging shots to lead 4-3.

"It feels great we've been working four months long with repetition in practice," Tapia said.  "I figured I could get this because I am fast and quick at scrambling. If you never end up on the bottom you can make it work. At least from my perspective."

Tapia mowed his way to the final with first-period pin win in the quarterfinal and then a 5-3 win over teammate Ramses Rodelo in the semifinal.

"He is high gear," Bowers said. "All post season he has been dominant. He set a goal and he and J.P. worked all year to do what they did tonight."

Martinez journey to avoid a third-straight runner-up finish at state started with a 16-0 tech fall win in the quarterfinals and a solid 7-1 semifinal win.

Against Dalton Delling (Concrete) in the final, Martinez dominated from start to finish to capture his first title with a pin late in the match after building an impressive 12-3 lead.

"This is one of my dreams since I was a little kid and I finally got it," Martinez said. "When I lose I learn from it and I come back and work harder the next day. Also the team title feels awesome. The guys worked hard. I'm living the dream right now."

"He really wanted to win it today," Bowers said. "He was worried about being the next Angel Ledesma - really quality guy that wasn't able to win it all."

Suarez was granted an injury default win over teammate Cesar Rangel in both wrestlers' first match Friday and then held on for a tense 3-2 semifinal victory.

"Sam does everything you need to do," Bowers said. "He comes to practice every day, works hard, stays focused, and does the job on the mat."

Perez (Orcas Island), came out against Suarez in a defensive posture which the Cougar broke through numerous times to build a 10-0 edge before finishing with  a pin in the second period.

"It feels good but I really wanted to go for a 1A title," Suarez said. "I went harder today.  I just wanted it more. I wasn't going to let a B school beat me."

Camacho came out on fire, winning 19-0 in the quarterfinal before holding on for a 12-8 win in the semifinals.

In the final against Tanner Wallace (Kittitas), Camacho couldn't keep his momentum, losing via first-period pin.

In the consolation bracket, Rodelo followed up his loss to Tapia with a third-place finish.

At 125-pounds, Carlos Gomez won two straight consolation bracket decisions to finish third.

Scott Henderson (135-pounds) ended his career on a high note, taking a 15-2 decision in the consolation bracket and then earning third place with a first-period pin.

Kenny Sullivan's (160-pounds) chance for a state title fell short in a 6-4 semifinal loss to Pomeroy's Tory Knebel. Sullivan would end up in fourth place.

With two more years left in his career, the sophomore Adam Hansen (189-pounds) managed to end up in fourth place after losing a heartbreaking 11-10 decision to Pateros' Dalton Ginter in the semifinals.

Matthew DeLeon (285-pounds) dropped his semifinal to ACH's Zach Correll, via a third-period pin loss in the waning seconds. Later aganst Sawyer Reed of Neah Bay he won via a pin for third place.

Rangel, after moving on from the Suarez matchup would not place as was the case with Gerino Luna (215-pounds). Jesus Dominguez  (103-pounds) also didn't place.

"I miss my friends and opponents I have wrestled with over the last 30 years at Class 1A," Bowers said. "But what we have accomplished this weekend is special in itself."