Champions Once More: Tahoma Bears' Resilience Shines Bright in State Wrestling Triumph
What an extraordinary year it has been! For the fifth time in school history, the Tahoma Bears proudly stand as State Champions. However, the journey to the dome didn't commence smoothly. Despite an organized send-off from our local Maple Valley police and fire departments, accompanied by a chorus of cheering parents, there was a significant hiccup - the bus we had chartered went to Mount Tahoma instead. Fortunately, our Maple Valley Mayor, Sean Kelly, sprang into action, swiftly snagging another bus from our garage and driving us himself ensuring our timely arrival at the Tacoma Dome.
Once there, everyone weighed in for day one and immediately got down to business. This year marked a Tahoma record for state participants with an impressive total of 19 wrestlers. While our primary competition, the returning State Champions Chiawana, brought their A-game, placing 9 out of their 12 wrestlers in the tournament, our Bears were more than ready to grapple.
Coach Feist honored by his peers, selected as the 4A Coach of the year
Throughout the two-day tournament, there were moments of nail-biting tension as the team scores remained closely contested, until the final placing round before the finals. The turning point arrived when the Bears secured three consecutive wins, two of which were by fall within a remarkable 15-second span. With these victories, we effectively dashed Chiawana's hopes, securing the team victory.
The Bears didn't stop there - several records were shattered during the tournament. Notably, we surpassed the state scoring record in the 4A classification, previously held by our 2012 team, with an impressive 193.5 points this year. Additionally, we broke the record for the number of state placers in the 4A tournament, with an outstanding 12 wrestlers making their mark.
Crew Lambro emerged as our highest-placing Bear, clinching the state title at 106 pounds and further widening the gap in team scores with a decisive win against Chiawana. Freshman Owen Marshall also showcased his prowess, earning a spot in the finals at 120 pounds, despite falling just short with seconds left on the clock.
Sophomore State Champion Crew Lambro receives an outpouring of support from the crowd following his win in the finals.
Other notable performances included Alex Othon, Isac Deonigi, and Cyrus Comia, all securing third place with their outstanding displays of skill and determination. Though they fell short of reaching the finals, their resilience and tenacity were evident as they battled back to claim the next best thing.
Rounding out our impressive list of placers were Colby Hill (5th), Jackson Stoops (8th), Carter Tughan (7th), Gavin Wells (5th), Joe Sullivan (5th), Adriano Perez (4th), and Kage Repenn (4th). Noteworthy were the impressive performances of Kage and Carter, each securing three pins in the tournament, bringing the team's total to an impressive 20.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our seniors for their unwavering leadership throughout the season, as well as to everyone who supported us. Your encouragement and dedication made every competition feel like a home match.
Thank you to our amazing seniors for everything you have done for our program and community.
As we reflect on this remarkable season, we eagerly anticipate the next, with 12 wrestlers and 7 placers returning from this year's tournament. With our sights set on victory once again, we look forward to writing the next chapter of Tahoma Bears wrestling history. #GoBears