3 Mule wrestlers qualify for state

Three Wahkiakum Mule wrestlers advanced out of last week's regional meet to qualify for the State Mat Classic this Friday and Saturday in Tacoma.

The Mules finished sixth out of 17 schools and qualified three wrestlers and two alternates for this weekends state tournament.

Ben Doumit was the lone Mule in the finals. He finished the day second overall and qualified for the first time in his career to take part in the state tournament.

“Ben had a great day,” said Mule coach John Hannah. “He wrestled great and avenged some losses from earlier in the year.”

The Mules qualified two other wrestlers for this weekend’s tournament. Joel Fudge and Jeff Vik each finished third in their weight classes. Fudge will be making his third trip to the state tournament, and Vik will be making his first.

“Joel finished the day real strong,” Hannah said. “As a team, we had a very rough first round, but it is more how you finish anything rather than how you start. Joel fought hard all day and came back to place third.

“It was great to watch Jeff grow this year as a wrestler. He was able to control his matches and set up his moves instead of forcing them. He has done everything we asked of him this year, which is why he is headed to state.”

The Mules have two alternates, Kevin O'Connor and Brady Johns, who will be waiting to find out if a spot will open up. Both are state veterans and seniors.

Normally, the Mule wrestling team only takes qualified wrestlers and alternates to the state tournament, but this year the entire team will be able to go on the trip, Hannah said. The Mule wrestling team has earned the 2B Academic State Championship, so the remaining team members will travel with the state competitors to the Tacoma Dome.

The team will be introduced and honored as part of the ceremonies on Saturday morning, around 9:30 a.m. on Friday. The other team members are Stian Vik, Jake Goldsmith, Ben Miles, Kyle Bergquist, and James Goldsmith.

Wrestling at the state tournament will begin on Friday and Saturday at 10 a.m. To earn a state individual medal, a wrestler must win two matches over the two days.