Yelm loaded for run at first state championship

Two years ago, Yelm wrestling coach Gaylord Strand figured his team was the implausible underdog going into Mat Classic.

But a team loaded with talented freshmen finished second in Class 3A that year, shocking even Strand.

Now, after finishing as the runner-up to Enumclaw the past two seasons, Yelm enters this weekend as the favorite, and Strand would be surprised if his team didn’t win its first state wrestling title Saturday.

“I’m not saying it’s going to happen, but this is probably our best chance,” Strand said. “Our goal is to win a state championship. It’s an opportunity to make history for Yelm High School.”

Yelm and Enumclaw lead 3A with 11 qualifiers apiece for the two-day event that starts Friday at the Tacoma Dome. Yelm, though, has five wrestlers who enter Mat Classic as the No. 1 seeds out of Region III – Dillon Harris (103 pounds), Dylan Hyder (119) Marcus Crone (125), James Bradley (130) and Caleb Thornhill (135) – compared to Enumclaw’s four No. 1 seeds out of Region II.

Yelm is loaded with returning state placers. Crone won a state title last year as a sophomore despite separating his shoulder a few weeks before state. Patrick Benson (140) is a three-time state placer. Hyder is a two-time state placer, finishing third last year and second as a freshman. Thornhill took second last year, Josh Clayton (119) fourth and Bradley sixth.

“All those kids are looking strong,” said Strand, who is in his 36th year as Yelm’s coach. “There’s a lot of state experience there. That helps.”

In Hyder and Clayton, Yelm has the top two 119-pounders in the Washington Wrestling Report’s 3A rankings. They finished first and second, respectively, at the sub-regional and regional tournaments and could meet in the state final.

Last year, Yelm ran into some bad luck in its attempt to knock off Enumclaw. Ian Burkhardt took second at the regional tournament but couldn’t wrestle at state because of a concussion. And senior Jess Patrick, who was expected to place, injured his knee in a second round-match at state and had to drop out.

Enumclaw ended up winning with 174 points, and Yelm finished second with 139.

“Sometimes it’s a matter of luck,” Strand said.

In Yelm’s first tournament of the season, Enumclaw won the White River Invitational with 216 points, and Yelm was second with 206.

Timberline, with six state qualifiers, hopes to finish in the top five in the 3A tournament.

In the 2A tournament, River Ridge senior Marques Ford is the No. 1 seed out of Region III at 152 pounds and will be going for his second state title. He won the 140-pound championship two years ago.

Tumwater qualified seven wrestlers and is led by 171-pound junior Easton Hargrave, a No. 1 seed out of Region III who is 35-2 this season.

“If everyone wrestles to their potential, we’re a top-five team,” Tumwater coach Tony Prentice said. “But it really depends on what the other teams do. Chehalis is pretty tough.”

Tumwater has three returning state placers. Daniel Page was third at 103 and moved up to 112 this season. Riley Prentice was fifth at 140 and moved up to 160.

Hargrave is a pinning machine and goes into state with 33 pins, a school record.

“He just never stops,” Prentice said. “He’s relentless. He’s never out of a match. If he gets you on your back, you’re in trouble.”

Gail Wood: 360-754-5443

gwood@theolympian.com