Washington State's Best Grapplers Converge at 2026 WIAA Mat Classic
Three Days of Elite Wrestling Competition Across All Classifications
The 2026 WIAA (WA) State Wrestling Mat Classic brought together the most competitive high school wrestlers in Washington State for an unforgettable three-day showcase February 19-21. Hosted across multiple mats and classifications, the event featured wrestlers from 1A through 3A programs competing for championships, conference bragging rights, and critical postseason momentum heading into the state tournament.
The Mat Classic served as a crucial barometer for wrestling programs across the state. With wrestlers like Kade West of Anacortes High School claiming the 2A heavyweight title over Landon Hamblin of Aberdeen High School, and Eli Policarpio of Chief Sealth High School earning the 2A 215-pound championship against Theo Stearns of North Kitsap High School, the tournament displayed exceptional depth in Washington's wrestling landscape.
Champions Crowned Across Weight Classes and Divisions
The 1A division produced standout performances, with Jake Turner of Zillah High School capturing gold at 285 pounds in a hard-fought match against Ulysses Betancourt of Cashmere High School. Meanwhile, in the 1B/2B heavyweight bracket, Kenneth Daman of Forks High School dominated Carter Pease of River View High School to claim his division's crown.
The girls' wrestling divisions showcased the explosive growth of female participation in Washington State wrestling. Hailey Rains of Anacortes High School impressed en route to the 2A 235-pound championship, while Aubrey Newberry of Kiona Benton High School captured the 1B/2B/1A title at the same weight. In another girls' heavyweight showdown, Charlene Underwood of Toppenish High School fell short against Rains in a competitive final, but both wrestlers proved why girls' wrestling continues to surge in the state.
Building Momentum Toward State Tournament
The Mat Classic's importance cannot be overstated. For wrestlers competing in consolation rounds and placing in upper brackets, the event provides essential film and data for coaches preparing postseason strategies. Matches like the 3A 150-pound consolation bout between Dawson McDaniel of Stanwood High School and Cooper Jones of Timberline High School demonstrated the caliber of competition even outside championship brackets.
All matches from the tournament are available for replay through FloWrestling, allowing coaches to scout opponents and wrestlers to study technique from the state's best programs. With championships decided across boys' and girls' divisions spanning 1A, 1B/2B, 2A, and 3A classifications, the 2026 Mat Classic confirmed what Washington wrestling fans already knew: this state produces world-class grapplers who refuse to leave anything on the mat.
As these wrestlers head into conference tournaments and ultimately the WIAA State Wrestling Championships, the Mat Classic served as the perfect tuneup for Washington's finest.
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👉 Claim Your Free $10 at KalshiThis article was created with AI assistance. Stats and results sourced from public records.