Three Peninsula Wrestlers in the Hunt for State Titles

Three wrestlers qualified for the state tournament at last week's 3A Region III championships. They will take their talents to the Tacoma Dome this weekend for a chance at a state title at the Mat Classic state championships.

Casey Larson led the way for Peninsula at regionals, battling through a brutal division for a third place finished in the 130-pound weight class. Larson’s only loss of the tournament came against eventual championship and number-one ranked (according to washingtonwrestlingreport.com) Marcus Crone of Yelm.

Larson, ranked fourth by WWR in the 130-pound 3A division, will face off against Justin Phillips of O’Dea in the opening match. Phillips finished second in the 3A Region II championships.

Tyler Allen will represent Peninsula in the 140-pound division after finishing fifth at regionals. Allen scored a 7-3 win in the 5/6 match-up to secure the final state berth in the division.

Allen is paired against tenth-ranked Dominic Nicacio of O’Dea in the first round. Nicacio finished first at his regional, winning his final two matches in dominating fashion.

Michael Sly will compete in the 189-pound division after finishing third at regionals. Sly rebounded from a second-round loss to post back-to-back 15-1 major decision victories to take third.

Sly is pitted against Brayden Jacobson of Everett, who finished second in his regional division.

The Mat Classic begins Feb. 18 at the Tacoma Dome. Live updates can be found at @patchsports.