WRESTLING PREVIEW: Tahoma grapplers looking for state title

The Tahoma Bears are primed and ready to rise to the top, all the way to the top of the state 4A class. The Bears have been pegged as second in the state behind Lake Stevens by Dave Gilbertson on his Web site Washington Wrestling Report, and hopes are very high in Tahoma land.

By Dennis Box • December 9, 2009 10:47 pm
Nick Bayer of Tahoma defeated Bethel’s Tegan Franco for the state championship at the 2009 Mat Classic. Bayer will aim for his third state title this season.
Nick Bayer of Tahoma defeated Bethel’s Tegan Franco for the state championship at the 2009 Mat Classic. Bayer will aim for his third state title this season.

The Tahoma Bears are primed and ready to rise to the top, all the way to the top of the state 4A class.

The Bears have been pegged as second in the state behind Lake Stevens by Dave Gilbertson on his Web site Washington Wrestling Report, and hopes are very high in Tahoma land.

The team returns the top-ranked Nick Bayer, a senior, who has notched two 4A state championships in the 171 weight class last year and 160 weight class in 2008.

Also highlighting the teams hopes and dreams are Tyler Lamb and Konner Knudtsen. Lamb took second at 135 pounds in last year state tournament and Knudtsen grabbed the bronze at 215.

Both will be looking for a gold medal this year at the Mat Classic.

Coach Doug Burnham said this class of wrestlers for the Bears have been battling since they were freshman and “after four years they have a shot to do something great.”

Friday Tahoma hosts Auburn in a South Puget Sound League showdown at 6:30 p.m.

The match is also alumni night featuring hall of fame inductions of Lee Reichert Jeff Hall and Rich Palmer.