Must-watch 14 Washington high school boys wrestlers heading into 2024 postseason
With the 2024 Mat Classic tournament in the Tacoma Dome a few weeks away, SBLive WA is taking a closer look at the must-see wrestlers heading into next week's start of the postseason.
After polling coaches and media outlets around the state, here are the headlining 14 boys wrestlers to watch, regardless of classification (ranked in order):
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SBLIVE'S 14 BOYS WRESTLERS TO WATCH
Photo by Vince Miller
1. LARS MICHAELSON, Bremerton, sr. (190)
The pair of Washington state titles (170 pounds in 2022, 182 in 2023) only begin to tell the story of Michaelson’s resume. The Stanford University signee has a long list of achievements, including a fifth-place finish at the US Open and a third-place finish at the USAW Folkstyle Nationals in the past year.
Quotable: “What makes Lars unique is his ability to flip a switch and go from kind, gentle kid to a killer on the mat.” — Bremerton coach Tyler Michaelson
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2. CODY MILLER, Sumner, sr. (157)
Currently, an undefeated 119-0 in high school, the two-time state champ (145 in 2022, 152 in 2023) is eyeing a third consecutive title — and would join David Olmstead (1982-84) in Spartans’ lore. Calm, cool and collected, Miller can outsmart opponents if he’s not already dominating them.
Quotable: “He always has a game plan and understands what will work against his opponents.” — Sumner coach Matt Harshman
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3. CZAR QUINTANILLA, University, soph. (113)
The name is familiar to Washington state wrestling fans, as older brothers Clai, Izaec and Q’Veli share a combined 10 WIAA titles. Czar won his first at 106 pounds last year to go in his trophy case along with two Tri-State Tournament titles, a USA Wrestling All-American honor and a Pan-American Championship.
Quotable: “Czar’s speed and ability to wrestler from one thing to another are two of his greatest attributes.” — University coach Ryan Montang
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4. APOLLO CRUZ, Orting, sr. (150)
Twice named team captain for a talent-packed Cardinals’ bunch, Cruz has state titles at 120 and 138 pounds under his belt as he looks to put another feather in the cap of an illustrious career. With a large toolbox of techniques, he matches up well against anybody in the state.
Quotable: “He loves being in high pressure, big matches.” — Orting coach Jody Coleman
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5. MARCOS TORREZ, Toppenish, sr. (144)
With Gut Check and Pacific Coast Invitational victories on the season, “Pooch” is well on his way to a third state championship — winning at 132 and 138 pounds the past two seasons. A very physical wrestler, opponents are under constant duress when going up against Torrez.
Quotable: “His quickness is second to none and he can attack from multiple angles.” — Toppenish coach Pepe Segovia
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6. CONNOR ANEY, Glacier Peak, jr. (285)
As a ninth grader, Aney finished runner-up in a heartbreaking tiebreaker to Kamiakin’s Jaxin McCallum. But he reversed the table to capture his first state title in dramatic overtime fashion over Sunnyside’s Mateo Amendariz last year. He is also a two-time 4A Wesco and regional champ. He won the Edmonds Invite this year.
Quotable: "I am constantly moving, imposing my will and putting people into uncomfortable positions - and I feel like my mental side of things is better than 99 percent of (heavyweights)." - Glacier Peak heavyweight Connor Aney
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7. ADAN ESTRADA, Toppenish, sr. (126)
Two-time state champion is facing his toughest test yet by jumping up two weight classes (113 to 126). Even still, he hasn’t missed a beat, using his tremendous defensive skillset to stymie opponents’ scoring efforts. While not the most vocal kid, Estrada’s positive attitude is a boon to a talent-rich Wildcats’ wrestling room.
Quotable: “Adan is constantly moving his feet to either create angles or pressure his opponents for the top position.” — Toppenish coach Pepe Segovia
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8. JOSH NEIWERT, Mead, sr. (132)
A high-school All-American and member of Washington State Wrestling Association’s junior nationals team, Neiwert won his first state title last season with Mead. He finished runner-up to South Kitsap’s Mitchell Neiner the year prior at 4A Gonzaga Prep. A technician on the mat, Neiwert’s unafraid of tough competition.
Quotable: “He likes to scrap and is willing to step into the arena and let it fly.” — Mead coach Phil McLean
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9. JUSTYCE ZUNIGA, Toppenish, soph. (132)
“Stubby” quickly made a name for himself, as he rolled to a state title his ninth-grade year. He parlayed that into a successful offseason, earning All-American honors in freestyle and Greco Nationals. This year, he’s finished first at Pacific Coast, third at Gut Check and fourth at the Reno Tournament of Champions.
Quotable: “Justyce maintains a high pace and wears his opponents out.” — Toppenish coach Pepe Segovia
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10. CODY NORTHWIND, Granger, sr. (175)
Two-time state champion didn’t just follow in his older brothers’ (Conan, Carson) footsteps - he took pieces of each of their styles and combined them into his own. Despite battling an ankle injury, he won at Tri-State this year and has started the season 20-0 with 17 pins, most in the first round.
Quotable: “He’s smooth, quick; he wrestles like he’s a 126-pounder. … He’s a special wrestler.” — Granger coach Richard Sanchez
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11. ALAN SALGUERO, Orting, jr. (126)
Nobody in the state of Washington has yet to top Salguero. He won titles at 106 and 120 pounds his first two years in Orting red - and hasn’t slowed yet. His background in judo makes him incredibly dangerous, even if he finds himself trailing on the scoreboard.
Quotable: “He always has feet-to-back potential.” — Orting coach Jody Coleman
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12. ELIAS MCDONALD, Sumner, sr. (132)
There’s a good chance Sumner’s three-time state champions list triples overnight in February (Miller; David Olmstead in 1982-84). McDonald won at 106 and 120 pounds the past two years, and is again set to make a significant weight jump. But his drive to excel makes him a favorite to bring home gold once more.
Quotable: “He is a long and explosive wrestler, very comfortable in every situation on the mat.” — Sumner coach Matt Harshman
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13. QUENTIN HARDING, Orting, jr. (138)
A victory at Tri-State and a runner-up finish at Mid-American Nationals join a pair of state titles to a rapidly-filling trophy case. Above all, Harding is a fan of the sport and you can often find him watching matches — high school, college and international — on YouTube or FloWrestling.
Quotable: “He may be the best, most well-rounded technician on the team.” — Orting coach Jody Coleman
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14. EVAN BENITEZ, Grandview, sr. (126)
Two-time runner-up at 126 pounds, Benitez is trying to get over the hump that is Orting foes in the championship match. He’s 34-2 with first-place trophies at Tri-State and Pacific Coast this season. Benitez is one of those wrestlers who can flip a switch, and he’s non-stop action when he gets going.
Quotable: “He knows what it’s like not to win and he knows what it’s like to reach great achievements. He does not make excuses and always goes back to work to improve himself.” — Grandview coach Eric Mesa
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Honorable mentions: Israel Acosta, Pullman; Trevor Andersen, Orting; Bryan Dickerson, Orting; Andrew Flores, Lincoln of Tacoma; Tre Haines, Arlington; Stone Hartford, South Kitsap; Noah Koyama, Union; Darrell Leslie, Toppenish; Ezekial McEwen, Capital; Darrell Nanpuya, Omak; Anthony Nava, Toppenish; Steve Romero, Toppenish; Jon Schoenlein, Skyview; Joe Sullivan, Tahoma; Dominic Thomas, Orting; Kiyanno Zuniga, Toppenish.
