MIHS Wrestling Takes Seventh at State

The Mercer Island wrestling team ended the season at the state Mat Classic tournament in the Tacoma Dome on a high note.

In the team points the Islanders placed seventh with 59 points — improving on their ninth-place finish last year — and also took home second place for the Academic Award. 

Senior Blake Johnson earned a state title by pinning Sam Romero of Sunnyside at 2:17 in the first round. Johnson then pinned Anthony Allred of Yelm at 2:23. On Saturday in the semifinals match, he beat Chili Sabin of Bonney Lake 9-0, and then beat Nick Kairis of Decatur 5-3 for first place.

Islander senior Phil Frazier beat Victor Hernandez of Bishop Blanchet 12-1 in the first round, and then advanced to the semifinals beating Justin Miller of Shadle Park 4-0. In the semifinals, Frazier beat Cody Geary of Prairie 2-1. In the final match, Sean Elledge of Glacier Peak beat Frazier, 8-0, to take second place.

In the 170 pound division, junior Nick Chandler lost to Connor Kenyon of Bainbridge Island, 9-1 in the first round. Chandler then beat Jacob Evens of Wilson by fall at 2:36. Chandler was then pinned by Yaroslav Petrechko of Lake Washington.

In the 106 pound division, freshman Luke Wilson lost his first round match with Andrew Hahn of Henry Foss HS 7-0. In the consolation bracket Wilson defeated Derek Nichols of Hazen by fall at 1:39, and then beat Bryant Elliott of Camas 9-5.

Wilson then narrowly beat Luis Cardona of Marysville-Getchell, 5-4, but in a rematch with Hahn lost 7-5. Wilson then went on to beat Dean Regino of Timberline 6-5 to place fifth in the state tournament.