Chris Mayolo has made this trip before.
But the La Center senior hasn’t entered a Mat Classic from the perspective he’ll have for the 2011 high school wrestling championships that take place today and Saturday at the Tacoma Dome.
Chris Mayolo has placed no worse than fifth at the previous three state tournaments. His last shot to win a high school state title comes with high expectations. He is the top-ranked 145-pounder in the state according to Washington Wrestling Report. That’s not only among Class 1A competitors. That’s across all classifications.
Of the 72 wrestlers from The Columbian’s circulation area who qualified through district and regional tournaments for the 23rd edition of Mat Classic, Chris Mayolo is among a handful considered to have a real shot at capturing a state title.
The competition begins at 10 a.m. To win a state title, wrestlers must win twice on today and twice on Saturday without losing.
Skyview’s Clint Powers is another of the Clark County representatives who could contend for the state title. The Storm’s only representative is ranked second at 130 among Class 4A wrestlers and sixth overall at his weight by the Washington Wrestling Report.
Evergreen is sending six wrestlers to the state tournament, and each is ranked among the top-10 Class 4A wrestlers in the state by the Washington Wrestling Report.
Evergreen junior Michael Nguyen is ranked first among 103 pounders in Class 4A — and second for all classifications. His brother Matthew is ranked seventh at 112 pounds for Class 4A. Senior Tim Peraza is ranked third in 4A at 215 pounds. Also representing the Plainsmen will be sophomore Peyton Zeller-Av (119 pounds), junior Rosalio Contreras (125), and senior Micah Bagley (285).
Union is sending five to the 4A meet, led by junior Tyler Davis who is ranked fifth at 135 pounds.
Battle Ground (three entries, led by Miguel Simon at 189) and Heritage (four entries, led by Austin Frazier at 125), two programs with a tradition of Mat Classic success, will hope for a couple of strong individual performances instead of competing for team honors.
In the Class 3A tournament, contenders include Prairie senior Travis Addy and Camas senior Miguel Salamanca at 145 pounds, and Hudson’s Bay junior Emilio Alcantar (140 pounds).
In the Class 2A tournament, Washougal senior Chism King is back for another title try.
Southwest Washington is especially well represented in the 1A classification, where 19 wrestlers from three schools advanced to state.
Chris Mayolo is one of four La Center wrestlers at state, including junior Patrick Mayolo at 130 pounds and senior Ryan Kulla (171).
Top contenders among Ridgefield’s eight contestants are Zach Anderson at 160 pounds and Juan Valencia at 189.
Stevenson has seven competitors, including senior heavyweight Wade Huett.
For the fifth year, Matt Classic includes a separate girls tournament. Among the 14 qualifiers from Southwest Washington, championship contenders include Skyview senior Anna Stauffer (140 pounds), Evergreen junior Stephanie Simon (145), and Battle Ground sophomore Mixtly Simon.
