G-K's Simonson, Bethel's Walker are state champs

Chad Simonson of Graham-Kapowsin ended his high school wrestling career in the biggest way possible -- as a state champion. And Josh Walker of Bethel  is also a state kingpin with one year still to on the prep mats.

Simonson captured the 145-pound title in the 4A portion and Walker came out on top in the 3A 160-pound competition in the state tournament Feb. 16-17 at the Tacoma Dome.

Simonson rolled through the field, ending with a 11-9 decision in overtime over Emiliano Mata of Davis in the championship match. He also recorded decisions over Devante Goodman of Mead, Spencer Marenco of Mount Si, and, in the semifinals, Devin Neal of Curtis.

Walker, a junior, won all four of his matches, capped by a 5-1 decision over Kennewick’s Emilio Ramos for the title. Walker pinned Riley Bennett of Everett in the semifinals.

Simonson, a senior, was one of five Graham-Kapowsin competitors in the Mat Classic XXX field in Tacoma. The others all finished in the top eight in their weight classes, led by Lane Holland, who placed fourth at 126. Chris Sparks was seventh at 220 pounds, Noah Cortez was sixth at 106, and Connor White-Shrum was eigthh at 285.

Bethel, with 11 wrestlers, had one of the largest groups in the 3A tournament and came close to having two champions. Donnie Krissak, a sophomore, finished second at 106, pinning Cole Daurie of Marysville in the semifinals before losing the same way in the title match against freshman Yusief Lillie of Bonney Lake. Among the other Braves, Devyn Sweem finished third in the 138-pound class, losing to eventual champion Christian Freund of Kelso in the semifinals;  at 113, Coty Chabot finished sixth; Ryan Brown was seventh at 120; and Ethan Calapp placed fourth at 285.

In the girls’ meet, the lone placewinner from south Pierce County schools was from Graham-Kapowsin --Gail Valencia, who finished eight at 125 pounds by winning half of her four matches. One of her victories was a pin in 56 seconds of Aleksi Donahue of Washougal.

Eatonville’s strongest showing came from Madison Jumper, who won her first match – a pin of Everett’s Stephanie Ramirez – before losing her next two, including a second-rounder to Giuliana Pepe of Mount Rainier, the eventual  runnerup at 190 pounds.