Lazarus McEwen and Colton Roberts Battle for 3A Gold at WIAA State Mat Classic

Elite 113-Pound Semifinal Showcase

The 2026 WIAA State Wrestling Mat Classic delivered some of Washington's finest prep wrestling action this past weekend, and few matches captured the intensity quite like the boys 3A 113-pound semifinal between Lazarus McEwen of Capital High School and Colton Roberts of University High School. Both wrestlers brought elite technical skill and relentless pressure to the mat on February 20, setting up a compelling road to the state finals.

McEwen, representing the Capital Cougars, entered the semifinals as one of the tournament's most dominant lightweights. Roberts, competing for University High, came in equally hungry and well-prepared. The clash between these two 3A titans represented everything that makes Washington high school wrestling special: young athletes who have dedicated countless hours in the room, pushing themselves and each other toward excellence.

The State Tournament Spectacle

The WIAA State Wrestling Mat Classic, held February 19-21 at a packed venue across Washington, featured wrestlers from all classifications competing for state supremacy. The 113-pound weight class at the 3A level proved particularly stacked with talent. McEwen and Roberts' semifinal bout was just one of several headline-grabbing matches that showcased the depth of prep wrestling throughout the state.

Other notable finals included:

• Eli Policarpio of Chief Sealth battling Theo Stearns of North Kitsap in the 2A 215-pound championship
• Jake Turner of Zillah facing off against Ulysses Betancourt of Cashmere for the 1A 285-pound title
• Hailey Rains of Anacortes competing against Charlene Underwood of Toppenish in the girls 2A 235-pound finals

A Weekend of Excellence

The three-day tournament showcased wrestlers across all WIAA classifications, from 1A through 4A, making it one of Washington's most comprehensive wrestling competitions. Athletes competed across multiple weight classes and classifications, with matches streamed on FloWrestling for fans statewide to follow the action.

McEwen and Roberts' path through the bracket demonstrated the caliber of competition at the 3A level. Both wrestlers showed the footwork, upper body control, and mental toughness required to win at the state level. Their semifinal clash was a testament to the preparation and dedication that Washington's wrestling programs instill in their athletes.

The WIAA State Mat Classic continues to be a proving ground where Washington's finest prep wrestlers earn their places among the state's elite, and this year's tournament lived up to that tradition with compelling matches throughout the weekend.

This article was created with AI assistance. Stats and results sourced from public records.