White River chasing elusive state title

BUCKLEY -- Taped to the wall of White River's wrestling room is a photo of the Tacoma Dome, home of the state championships. Its presence serves as a daily reminder that Mat Classics aren't just a dream at White River, they're an expectation.

At the start of each season, the Hornets hold their team meetings on the opposite side of the room and gradually move closer to the picture as the year progresses. Fourth-year coach Kevin McNulty doesn't think the kids understand the significance at first, but believes the message is delivered by season's end.

"We really focus on Tacoma," McNulty said. "We want to be on top at the end of the year, no question. All the dual meets and tournaments we wrestle in up to that point are just steps up the mountain."

White River has placed second at state three years in a row, finishing behind Sedro-Woolley the past two.

Some might see the Hornets' inability to get over the hump as a serious struggle, while others contend three second-place finishes are nothing to be ashamed of. McNulty insists there's nowhere for the program to go but up.

"Our goal is to establish a powerhouse program that's constantly on the state board," McNulty said. "It's going to take a committed group of kids with tremendous work ethic to get there, but I think we're on the right track. The White River kid is a tough, gritty kid that won't give up easily."

The Hornets will get a challenge in the Seamount League from Clover Park and Highline, but should have the inside track thanks to nine returning state qualifiers. Paul Klein and Dustin Haukenberry both won state titles last year, making White River the only 3A school to return two state champions.

Klein, a senior, and Haukenberry, a junior, have taken over as team leaders, and are eager to defend their titles. However, they know it won't be an easy task.

"Everybody's aiming for me now," Klein said. "It's going to be tough, but I'm excited about it. It's been a dream of mine (to win a state title) ever since I was a little kid, and now I have a chance to get two of them."

Brad Padgett (fifth), J.J. Westover (seventh) and Sean McNulty (eighth) placed at state last year and will have to repeat the success if White River wants to wrest the title from Sedro-Woolley.

McNulty believes this year's squad has what it takes to get to the next level and bring the championship home to Buckley.

"We don't have to be the best in December," he said. "We're shooting to be the best in February. Until then, we're a work in progress. And after three second-place finishes, I think we're ready to be the top dog."

Elsewhere, Mercer Island and Liberty are expected to stage a spirited battle for the KingCo 3A title and send several wrestlers to state. The schools combined for seven state entrants last season.

The Islanders return only one state qualifier in senior Aaron Cahoon. The Patriots, on the other hand, return three. Senior B.J. Ward is Liberty's finest and, pound-for-pound, one of the best wrestlers in the state. Ward won the state title at 140 last year, Justin Studer finished second at 152 and Brad Williams went two-and-out at 152.

All three are determined to reach the top and bring home Liberty's first league title, and they're letting everyone know it.

"We've got excellent senior leadership," said Liberty coach Stark Porter, in his eighth season. "They're very competitive and are just wonderful people, students and athletes. Now it's just a matter of getting it done on the mat."

Liberty's advantage over Mercer Island is experience and depth.

"If there's something that'll separate us, it's that we don't have any holes," Porter said. "We've got a real solid group of guys and a lot of experience on our side. It should be a good year for us."

The Patriots have won the conference's dual meet title twice, but haven't won a KingCo tournament title since joining the league in 1996. Mercer Island hasn't won a KingCo title since 1998.

3A STATE OUTLOOK

DEFENDING TEAM CHAMPION

Sedro-Woolley

RETURNING INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONS

103 -- Jason Fairley, Soph., Clarkston

112 -- Paul Klein, Sr., White River

119 -- Brandon Sitch, Soph., Kelso

140 -- B.J. Ward, Sr., Liberty

145 -- Kyle Bounds, Jr., Columbia River

171 -- Dustin Hauckenberry, Jr., White River

189 -- Chet Slevin, Sr., Ferndale

275 -- Tim Sommer, Sr., Anacortes

FIVE TO WATCH

Leilani Akiyama, Jr., Newport, 112

Akiyama became only the third girl in Mat Classic history to win a match when she pinned Yelm freshman Brandon Virgil last year in the second round of the 112-pound consolation bracket. She finished the year with a 27-7 record.

Paul Klein, Sr., White River, 130

Klein won the state title last year at 112 pounds. He's fast and strong, but is moving up in weight classes this season.

Justin Studer, Sr., Liberty, 152

Studer was the state runner-up at 152 pounds last year, losing a hard-fought final to Sedro-Woolley's Jonny Wicker. He spent the entire off-season gearing up for his senior year.

Pano Dreves, Jr., Mount Si, 152

Dreves begins his first year of wrestling at Mount Si after transferring from St. Mary's International School in Tokyo. Last year, he helped lead the St. Mary's wrestling team to an undefeated season.

Phil Hayes, Sr., O'Dea, 275

Hayes placed seventh at state in the 275-pound division, and was an all-state football player for the Fighting Irish this fall at more than 300 pounds. He must lose at least 25 pounds to compete this season.

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