Grapplers tune up for KingCo 4A tournament

Haschak, Ullery lead Kangs as state's top wrestlers clash at Juanita this weekend

February 4, 2009 8:21 pm
Juanita's Matt Skurnik (in red) wrestles Lake Washington's Collin Story during a match at Redmond High School on Jan. 29.
Juanita's Matt Skurnik (in red) wrestles Lake Washington's Collin Story during a match at Redmond High School on Jan. 29.

Not everything has been perfect for the defending KingCo champion Lake Washington wrestling team this season, but the Kangs are rounding into shape at just the right time for postseason competition.

“It’s been an interesting season,” said Lake Washington coach Steve Becher. “We’ve had a lot of injuries and that’s hurt us in our dual competition.”

But as Becher said in the preseason: The dual competition is like a warm-up for the KingCo tournament. Once wrestlers get to the playoffs, the matches really start to count.

For the Kangs in the regular season, the big story has clearly been senior Grant Haschak. Wrestling at 215 pounds through league matches and a grueling tournament schedule, Haschak is 26-0 on the season with 23 pins.

Haschak has won a host of tournaments, but Becher said the biggest win so far was at the Tri State Tournament Dec. 20.

“If the competition there isn’t tougher than our state tournament, it’s right up there with it,” Becher said of the Tri State Tournament.

Haschak was the first KingCo wrestler to win at the tournament since 2004.

Haschak placed fifth at the state tournament at 189 pounds last season and is looking to better that placing at 215 pounds this season. Haschak will wrestle at Cal Poly next year.

Junior Dylan Ullery is one of the state’s top wrestlers at 145 pounds. Ullery made the state tournament as a sophomore at 135 pounds last season.

Senior Eric Cook has been impressive. Cook won the KingCo tournament last season.

Becher said Cook has a good shot at the state tournament this season and that the Kangs have seven wrestlers that could be in the finals at the KingCo Tournament.

Joel Navas has been a pleasant surprise for Becher this season. The sophomore wrestles at 119 and 125 and has a number of pins this season.

The KingCo 4A tournament is Feb. 6-7 at Juanita High School. The top five finishers in each weight division will advance to the Region II tournament Feb. 14.

“I think we’re starting to turn the corner at the right time,” Becher said. “We don’t want to peak too early in the season.”