PORT ORCHARD — After capturing Kitsap County’s first team wrestling state championships, the grapplers from South Kitsap High were given a heroes’ welcome at a downtown celebration on Bay Street.
On the evening of Feb. 23, fans, family members and supporters lined the sidewalk in front of the Port Orchard Market to welcome the team to an evening of food and merriment. There were a few snow showers, but that did little to dampen the spirit of the crowd or the occasion.
The Wolves won the 4A team wrestling title at the 30th Mat Classic on Feb. 17, beating out second-place Mead and third-place Tahoma by more than 50 points. Brothers Xavier and Mason Eaglin each won individual state titles at 106 and 170 pounds respectively, but the Wolves received several top four finishes from its wrestlers to reach the top of the podium.
“You don’t win a state wrestling championship by 53.5 points by taking a weekend off or a day off,” said South Kitsap School District superintendent Karst Brandsma.
“These guys proved the fact that it really is a team sport. They won going away. We had eight finishers in the top four, two in second place and two state champions, and 4A coach of the year in Chad Nass.”
Nathan Marin and Izaiah Davis each took second place at 160- and 195-pounds, respectively; Sebastian Robles (152), Davonn Keyes (160) and Ethan Fragoso (220) all finished third; and Devin Gentz took fourth at 120.
In all, South Kitsap wrestlers went 31-9 at the state tournament, and those performances helped boost the Wolves up to 160 points to capture the championship trophy.
“These wrestlers were unbelievable,” head coach Chad Nass said. “They gave us everything they had and then some to the bitter end. They make us look like good coaches because they work so hard, they’re so dedicated, and they’re truly a family.”
Mark Krulish is a reporter for Kitsap News Group. He can be reached at mkrulish@soundpublishing.com.
Xavier Eaglin (left) and Dylon Murray carry the state high school 4A wrestling championship trophy down the sidewalk. (Mark Krulish | Kitsap Daily News)
