TACOMA — Wrestler Nikitta Weston, 145, of North Kitsap High School won his first-round state championship match 9-7 in OT, early Feb. 20 at the Tacoma Dome.
Weston defeated Gage Keesee of Black Hills. He faces Zach Volk of Fife at 5:06 p.m. The winner of that match will face Michael Matagi of W.F. West (Chehalis) or Darius Hatcher of Washington at 11 a.m. Feb. 21. The title match is at 7 p.m. that day.
Kingston wrestler Peyton Reece, 125, won her first-round state championship match in 31 seconds by fall.
Reece defeated Madeline Corn of Concrete and next faces Nikki Valazquez of Othello at 4:50 p.m. The winner of that match will face Hailey Huerta of Centralia or Xochithl Surarez of Kent Meridian at 10:50 a.m. Feb. 21. The title match is 6:40 p.m. that day.
Reece, sister of four-time state wrestling champion Bobby Reece III (KHS class of 2014), was runner-up in the 2014 Mat Classic. She is undefeated this year and won the Reno World Tournament in 2014.
Before her match, coach Chris Gilbreath said Reece is a seasoned, confident competitor.
“The Mat Classic is not an overpowering experience for her. That helps give her the confidence she needs,” he said.
