Six Reardan wrestlers qualify for state

SPANGLE - Six Screaming Eagles qualified to compete in the State Wrestling Mat Classic at the Regional Wrestling Tournament at Liberty High School Saturday, Feb. 10.

Joey Matusik qualified for the state meet with his first-place finish in the 106-pound weight class. In his first match, Matusik pinned Connor Houston of Wilbur-Creston in 29 seconds. In his semifinal match with Ty Scott of Colfax, he won via pin in 1:26.

He secured first place by pinning Micah Rocha of Northwest Christian in 1:36.

Matusik has a bye in his first match in the state tournament. He will wrestle either Jesse Corum of Tonasket or Jacob Scott of Rainier.

"The season has gone well so far," Matusik said. "I expect to go all the way to the finals at state. I think my technique and my ability to adapt to other wrestlers' styles will help me once I get there."

Coen Caldwell won three of four matches to place third at 138 pounds. He won his first match against Dillan Dituri of Chewelah in a tiebreaker. Caldwell lost to Porter Wood of Almira-Coulee-Hartline in the semifinal match.

He bounced back in a consolation semi-final match, pinning Michael Egland of Selkirk in 2:04. Caldwell punched his ticket to Tacoma by defeating Dituri again, this time with a pin at 1:39. He'll wrestle Landon Thomas of Forks in his first match at state.

Carson Kline, also wrestling at 138 pounds, defeated his three opponents to earn first place and a trip to state. Kline pinned Nathan Thurman of Kettle Falls in 29 seconds and Moxon Strobel of Liberty in 25 seconds.

In the first place match, Kline pinned Porter Wood of ACH in 3:27. Kline has a bye in the first round at state. He will face the winner of Conner Evans of Concrete and Timber Super of Okanogan.

"At state I'm going to take advantage of my conditioning and wrestle as hard as I can," Kline said.

Conner Kline placed third at 190 pounds, also earning a trip to the Mat Classic. After winning his first match by default, Kline lost to Brock Gustaveson of Davenport by technical fall.

In the consolation semifinal match, he pinned Coleman Green of Liberty in 40 seconds. Kline wrapped up third place by pinning Tyler Doleman of Kettle Falls in 1:42.

At state, Kline will wrestle Cody Strozyk of Willapa Valley.

"My goal is to win state," Kline said. "I think I have a chance. Everyone who goes has a chance. After all, they all have two arms, two legs and a head. I think my aggressiveness and strength will help me at state. I'm motivated to do my best."

At 215 pounds, Carson Durbin placed third, also qualifying for the state tournament. He pinned Cole Snider of Wilbur-Creston in 1:57 and then lost to Noah Butler of ACH in 3:23.

In his consolation semi-final match with Austin Stein of Asotin, he won via pin at the 2:17 mark. Durbin won his last match, pinning Treven Houston of Wilbur-Creston in 4:14. At state, Durbin will face Preston Stingley of Kittitas.

Danika Bretz, wrestling at 170 pounds, placed second at the girls Regional meet in Quincy, earning her a trip to the Mat Classic.

She defeated Emilia Klewin of Lind-Ritzville/Sprague in her first match and lost to Emma Villa of Royal City in her second match. In her opening match at state, she will face-off against Kennedy Farrar of Meridian.

"This is my first year wrestling and I really like it," Bretz said. "I've put in a lot of hard work and am working on being more consistent. I'm going to do my best at state and will hopefully place."

Alex Matusik finished fourth at 120 pounds, qualifying as an alternate in Tacoma. He lost his first match to Wayland Holmberg of Davenport and won his second match via decision over Cody Phillips of Colfax.

In the battle for third place, Matusik lost to Jack Molitor of ACH.

Sterling McLaughlin also qualified as an alternate to state with his fourth-place finish at 175 pounds. He lost his first match to John Pierce of ACH and won his second match by pinning Talen Kent of Kettle Falls in 1:35.

In his next match, he pinned Reed Whidman of Liberty in 2:11. In the battle for third place, Pierce again defeated McLaughlin, this time via pin.

The Mat Classic is at the Tacoma Dome Friday, Feb. 16 and Saturday, Feb. 17.