Royal qualifies four boys for state wrestling
The Knights Alex Myrick (left) competing at last year's Mat Classic at The Tacoma Dome.
CONNELL - Royal's Emilio Bustos (160) and Alex Myrick (170) captured regional titles against the top two programs at the 1A Region 3 Regional Wrestling Tournament at Connell High School Saturday.
Bustos recorder a 7-4 victory over Granger's Abel Morales, and Myrick defeated Zillah's Jim Meyers 3-0.
The two, along with second-place finisher Christian Guerrero (182), and Carlos Hernandez who placed fourth in the 126 weight class, have qualified to wrestle this weekend at the 25th Annual Mat Classic State Tournament in Tacoma.
Granger finished first at the regional tournament with a team total of 216 points. Zillah was second with 208, Royal (91.5) took fifth, and Wahluke tallied 46 points to place ninth.
The Knights coach Seth Weeks believes Bustos, Myrick and Guerrero have a shot to make it into the finals, but thinks Myrick, who is competing in his fourth Mat Classic, will have the best chance to be crowned the best wrestler at 170 pounds.
"He's ready for a state championship," Weeks said.
Based on his performance at regionals, Bustos may also be in line for a title. He competed at state last year, finishing seventh at 152.
Guerrero can win as well, Weeks believes, but thinks it will be an uphill climb, as he has not been able to get past Ki-Be's Cruz DelAngel, whom he's wrestled three times this year. Guerrero lost by pin to DelAngel at the regional tournament.
Guerrero is also battling the loss of one year of development. He competed at state as a freshman, finished seventh as a sophomore, then gave up the sport last year.
The chances for Royal's fourth state entry are slim, not because of his skills but because of injury as Carlos Hernandez, 126, had to forfeit his final match at regionals and settle for fourth.
"He may not even make the trip to Tacoma," Weeks said.
Having an exceptional day at the regional tournament for Wahluke was Jack Yorgesen, who is the Warriors best chance for a state title and Antonio Gomez. Yorgesen, placed third in Connell and Gomez, fourth.
The first round of the state tournament gets underway Friday at 10 a.m.