Washington State's Best Grapplers Converge at 2026 WIAA Mat Classic

Elite Competition Across All Classifications

Washington high school wrestling reached peak intensity this past weekend as the 2026 WIAA State Wrestling Mat Classic brought together the region's most talented grapplers from February 19-21. The three-day tournament showcased wrestlers from 1A, 1B/2B, and 2A classifications, delivering thrilling matches and crowning state champions across every weight class.

The competition featured some of the most impressive performances of the wrestling season, with standout athletes claiming gold medals and punching their tickets to postseason glory. From the 113-pound consolation rounds to the heavyweight finals, every mat told a story of dedication, technique, and pure athletic heart that defines Washington state wrestling.

Championship Highlights and Top Performers

Several programs made their mark on the tournament. Anacortes High School flexed its muscle with multiple state champions, including Kade West dominating the 2A 285-pound weight class with a decisive victory over Landon Hamblin of Aberdeen. The Anacortes program also saw Hailey Rains capture the girls 2A 235-pound championship, defeating Charlene Underwood of Toppenish in a hard-fought finals match.

In the boys 1B/2B 285-pound final, Kenneth Daman of Forks proved too much for Carter Pease of River View, securing the lower classification state title. The heavy weights delivered crowd-pleasing performances throughout the tournament, with these larger athletes showcasing impressive conditioning and technique.

The 1A division produced its own heroes. Jake Turner of Zillah captured the 1A 285-pound crown with a thrilling match against Ulysses Betancourt of Cashmere, showcasing the deep talent pool across the state's smaller classifications. Meanwhile, in the boys 2A 215-pound bracket, Eli Policarpio of Chief Sealth outlasted Theo Stearns of North Kitsap for the state title.

The girls wrestling contingent continued to raise the bar for women's participation in the sport. Aubrey Newberry of Kiona-Benton claimed the girls 1B/2B/1A 235-pound championship with a victory over Nina Siribun of Raymond/South Bend, underscoring the growing strength of women's wrestling throughout Washington.

What's Next

With the state Mat Classic complete, attention now turns toward regional championships and the push toward the WIAA postseason tournament. The wrestlers who claimed gold this weekend have proven they belong among the state's elite, and programs like Anacortes, Forks, and others have demonstrated they have the depth and talent to compete at the highest levels of Washington high school wrestling.

The 2026 season has shown that Washington wrestling continues to produce exceptional young athletes, and the journey toward state tournament glory is just beginning.

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