Tahoma brings home three state champions from Mat Classic

They didn’t quite achieve what they set out to do Saturday night during Mat Classic XXII at the Tacoma Dome.

But the Tahoma High wrestling team certainly put on a show worthy of high praise.

Behind huge performances from Steven Hopkins (103 pounds), Tyler Lamb (140) and Nick Bayer (189), the Bears walked away from the state tournament on Saturday with three state champs, the most the program has produced in a single season in more than a decade.

“They set high goals for themselves as individuals and as a group, and they did everything that we ever asked of them,” said Tahoma coach Chris Feist. “From the eighth grade on, these guys have been training hard together.”

Konner Knudtsen, the final link to Tahoma’s Fearsome Foursome, also enjoyed a big tournament, taking second at 215 pounds.

A team title, however, eluded the Bears. Tahoma entered the tournament top ranked in the state and a favorite – along with University (Spokane) and Lake Stevens – to win the overall crown. University, however, would not be denied, taking the team crown with a staggering 156.5 points, followed by Tahoma (114.5) and Moses Lake (90). Lake Stevens, the three-time defending champions, finished fourth with 89.5 points.

University built an early lead that included victories in all 10 of its first-round matches.

“We told them, regardless of how hard we train and what we do, it still has to fall together for us. And there are no guarantees. We knew we had the opportunity to do great things,” said Feist. “I don’t know (if University was) perfect, but it was the best tournament I’ve seen a 4A team put together. They started with a perfect round, 10-for-10, that’s not something I’ve ever seen.”

Tahoma was aiming for its first team title since 1996, when it won the Class 2A crown. It’s worth noting that Tahoma’s final point total on Saturday would have won titles in 2001, 2002 and 2006. In addition, it was more points than the Bears posted in 1996 (105.5), when Tahoma crowned a pair of champs.

“It was a struggle (on Friday),” Bayer said. “Second is second. It’s no substitute for first.”

Jordan Higa (135) added to Tahoma’s medal haul, bringing home seventh place.

Hopkins provided potentially the most exciting match of the championship round, pinning Kentwood star Ruben Navejas in 4:58. It’s the first time in Navejas’ prep career that he has been pinned.

“This feels really good because I didn’t expect (to win) as much as I should have,” Hopkins said.

One Tahoma wrestler who was expecting to win it – and has been for the past 10 years – was Lamb (140). After knocking off Moses Lake’s Nico Moreno 7-2, Lamb pulled a grey sweatshirt over his head that he hadn’t worn since he was eight years old. On the back of the shirt in blue lettering were the words: “Tyler Lamb, state champ, 2010.”

“I’ve been saving it,” Lamb said with a smile. “I haven’t worn it since that day. I wasn’t very good when I was little, so I set a high goal for myself and it feels good accomplishing it.”

It was Lamb’s first state championship. A four-time state placer, Lamb finished the season with a 42-1 overall record.

The shirt not only holds a special place in Lamb’s heart, but Feist’s as well. The last time Lamb wore the tattered sweatshirt was 10 years ago, when he approached Feist and informed the coach of his future intentions.

“He was just a little squirrel of a kid,” Feist laughed. “He came in with this oversized, homemade shirt that said he was going to be a state champ. I started to laugh. He introduced himself and said, ‘I’m going to be a state champion for you coach.’”

While Hopkins and Lamb etched their names into the Tahoma High wrestling books, Bayer simply added to his accomplishments.

The mild-mannered senior picked apart Mitch Steed of Emerald Ridge in the championship match, 10-5. Bayer put on a takedown display in the opening two periods, chucking Steed all over the mat en route to building a 9-2 lead that paved the way to the title.

The win helped Bayer become Tahoma’s fourth three-time state champion. He joins former stars Ricky Christian (1990-92), Zhon Kuraspediani (1996-1998) and Andrew Johnson (2005-2007).

“I don’t know how to describe it,” said Bayer, who finished the season with a 37-3 overall record. “I’m overjoyed, I won three. At the same time, it’s over. I guess that’s the one to get.”

Bayer finished his prep career with an impressive 136-16 overall record.

“Sophomore year, we weren’t surprised he won it, but we were overwhelmed with, ‘Whoa, he actually did it,’” Feist said. “Junior year, there was a lot of pressure for him to repeat. We knew he could do it. This year … we knew that if he wrestled his style, stayed in position and pushed the pace that he would win a third.

“And that’s what he did all weekend.”

BAYER ESSENTIALS

Tahoma senior Nick Bayer became the school’s fourth three-time state wrestling champion on Saturday. Below is a look at the four wrestlers who have accomplished the feat.