It took a few years to reach the top. Now that Lake Washington wrestling Coach Steve Becher and his team are there, they don’t intend to give that spot up.
Becher is entering his fifth year as the coach of a team that four years ago had just six members. This season, the defending KingCo Tournament champions have 30 wrestlers, a lot of talent and big expectations.
“We went from the bottom of the pile to the top,” Becher said. “Every year has really been a building block and we’d like to take it another step up this year.”
Lake Washington won the KingCo title and went on to place 30th at the 4A state championship.
“We’ve got a lot to live up to after last year’s great season,” Becher said. “It’ll be interesting to see how it goes.”
The Kangs have a number of standout wrestlers to build from. Senior Grant Haschak finished second at the KingCo tournament, won the regional tournament and placed fifth at state last season at 189 pounds. He is currently ranked number three in the state at 215 pounds for this season.
Junior Dylan Ullery (145) went 8-1 in the KingCo competition last season and placed third at the regional tournament. Ullery wrestled at state at 135 pounds last season. Becher said he expects Ullery to take a big step forward and place at state this season.
Senior Eric Cook won the KingCo Tournament last season and will look to do so again at 160 pounds this season. Zach Chrysanthou will be a force at 140 pounds. The junior placed fourth at the KingCo Tournament last season. Another junior, Ibrahim Khilfeh, will help the team at 171 this season.
Two sophomores to watch are Joel Navas and Joel Gonzalez. Gonzalez (130) placed fourth at the Mariner Tournament on Dec. 6. Navas has some big shoes to fill at 119 pounds, taking over for state wrestler Kasey Parker. Becher said Navas is a possible state placer.
Parker graduated after wrestling at state at 119 pounds last season. Other state competitors for Lake Washington that graduated: Corey Montgomery at 152 pounds and Sean Haschak, 171 pounds.
Because of the structure of the KingCo Tournament this season, Becher said it’s not as important to win league matches throughout the regular season. Once it is time for the KingCo Tournament (Feb. 6-7), every team has an equal chance for the title.
“All of these matches are really just practice, a chance for us to get out and see what we need to improve,” Becher said. “If we lost every match until the KingCo Tournament and then won that, I’d be happy.”
Lake Washington’s next match is against Ballard on Dec. 16.
Kirkland Reporter Sports Writer Adam McFadden can be reached at amcfadden@reporternewspapers.com or 425-255-3484, ext. 5054.
