MAT CLASSIC XVI

TACOMA — The Central Kitsap Cougars and Olympic Trojans have both had bumps in the road on the way to the Tacoma Dome for last weekend’s Mat Classic XVI. But through the hardships, both teams were able to leave a mark, with CK placing two and Oly placing one.

CK finished tied for 29th with 18 total points with Gonzaga Prep while Oly had 5 points to finish in 48th. University won the 4A title with 135 points.

Ryan Nunez had the best weekend for CK, earning sixth place at 130 pounds. After beating Everett’s Bryan Irwin in an injury default, Nunez fell 9-2 to Tim Whitley. Whitley would end up in second place. Nunez stormed through the consolation bracket before losing a tight 10-8 decision to Matt Machala of University. That set-up his fifth/sixth place match against Austin Kinter of Mariner, which Kinter won 5-1.

“We were hoping for higher placing, but it just kind of worked out that way,” CK coach Mike Harter said.

He said Nunez was still disappointed by his showing, but said eventually he and his teammates will get over it.

“Had he been anywhere else in the bracket, he would have won probably,” Harter said of Nunez’s draw. “I hope they realize who they are is a lot more important than winning tournaments.”

Daniel Mayfield also placed for CK, taking seventh in his bracket. He got pinned in the first round by Justin Boyce of Everett. Boyce ended up the state champ. In the consolation bracket, Mayfield won his next two matches, but that set up a match against Brysen Brown of Emerald Ridge, another favorite in the group. Brown would win this one with a 1:34 pin, sending Mayfield in the seventh-place match against Albert Saiyan of Inglemoor. Mayfield won the match 18-9. In his three wins, Mayfield outscored his opponents 55-26.

“We had a long talk with all our seniors,” Harter said. “I said, ‘I know you haven’t reached your goals, but it’s still a very successful season.’ We talked about the importance of winning championships, but we also talked about the importance of being enough without the championships.”

Tyler Crittenden also had a tough draw, taking on what may have been one of the two toughest 4A weights overall. Crittenden took down one of the favorites, Chris Mangrum of Auburn Riverside 9-4 before falling into

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