High School Wrestling: Kelso grapplers shooting their shot at The Dome
PHOTO GALLERY – Images from the late action on Day 1 at Mat Classic XXXIV
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*Images by Joshua Hart for Blast Zone Media
3A Prep Wrestling / Photo Gallery
The only thing more difficult than making it to the Tacoma Dome as a competitor for the Mat Classic is staying in contention once you get there.
That reality began to set in for high school grapplers at the WIAA state wrestling championships yesterday as tough competition took its toll on the hearts, minds, hopes and dreams of high school wrestlers. The only thing harder than the Mat Classic brackets is the concrete floor hidden beneath the many-colored patchwork of mats.
While the crop of Kelso Hilanders still in the hunt for the podium suffered early attrition, the Kelso Lassies are still in prime position to repeat as team champions in the 3A girls tournament. The Kelso girls hold a 41.5 lead for first place over Hermiston in the team points race entering Day 2 of Mat Classic.
One surprise standout for Kelso in Tacoma has been Kamiah Gaerlan. Last year Gaerlan finished second in the 115-pound bracket at State, but she tore her ACL in June and was supposed to miss the entire year. Against doctor's orders she returned to action in January in order to make another run at a State title while sporting a brace on her knee and gutting out the pain.
Kelso will send seven girls to the State semifinals today, including Gaerlan, and has several other athletes still in the mix in the consolation rounds.
Be sure to check back to BlastZoneMedia.com for additional photos and full coverage of the action at Mat Classic XXXIV.
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