Eagles send 6 to state; CK, Oly team up for 5

MOUNTLAKE TERRACE — Cody Kirkpatrick is anxious to return to state.

“Oh yeah,” the Klahowya 140-pounder said. “That was my goal at the beginning of the season, to take top-six at state.”

And after the 2A Region 1 Tournament Friday and Saturday at Mountlake Terrace High School, Kirkpatrick realized another of his goals as well.

“My other goal was to place higher in every tournament this year than I did last year,” the Eagle senior said. “And now I’ve accomplished that. Just one final goal.”

Kirkpatrick finished in third place at 140 pounds, avenging a 10-1 loss to Vashon’s Wiley Volker at the sub-regional tourney by winning 10-3 this time around.

“I’m just trying to do the best I can since it’s my last year,” he said.

But he won’t be going alone.

Heavyweight Patrick Griffin joins Kirkpatrick as Klahowya’s state returners. Making the trip for the first time will be Darren Frasquillo (112), Karl Neumann (145), Chris Vineyard (189) and CJ Moen (215).

Vineyard is extremely excited to be going to the Dome for the first time.

“It’s awesome,” Vineyard said. “I can’t wait. I’m really excited to see what it’s like to wrestle in the Tacoma Dome.”

Neumann agreed, saying he too is ready to wrestle.

“It feels good,” Neumann said. “I’m just gonna keep wrestling and keep positive. Just stay ahead mentally.”

Since Neumann and Kirkpatrick wrestle each other at Klahowya’s practices, they were both happy to be tagging along together.

“It’s cool,” Neumann said. “He always takes me in practice. But it’s nice though. It’s nice to be there with my teammates, especially someone I practice with everyday.”

“I really like that,” Kirkpatrick added. “Karl’s worked hard this year to make it.”

Griffin and Frasquillo both had the best days for Klahowya, with each taking second place.

In Frasquillo’s final match, a rematch from sub-regionals against Vashon’s Tyler Gateman, Frasquillo fought hard into the second round before getting pinned at 3 minutes, 26 seconds.

Frasquillo hung with Gateman early however, taking a 4-3 lead at one point in the first frame

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