Outside the weather was unpredictable, inside it was the same.

The 2008 Washington State Wrestling Championships were hosted once again by

the Tacoma Dome. Over 900 wrestlers qualified for this year's

tournament by finishing in the top five at regionals. This was the 20th

year of this Mat Classic which always has its surprises.

Again this year we were able to witness the irony of a wrestler losing in his first

match, only to either meet him again later on or finishing in front of

him. Feb. 15 and 16 saw girls wrestling in the middle of the 16 mats

of wrestlers. This was the second year for the girls' state tournament. Six

wrestlers returned as " two-time champs " trying for a third

championship. Five of them were successful.

Locally, the wrestlers who placed in the top eight were named "All State Wrestlers." Sophomore Ivan Mukomol at 119 pounds from Thomas Jefferson High School took eighth place. Corey Obungun, a senior from Todd Beamer High School won his first match, 13-12, but then lost two in a row and became a spectator.Trevor Mills from the same school won his first two matches before moving into the consolation rounds with a loss then won

again and ended taking home fifth place over Miller of Graham-Kapowsin

(a third year school who finished the team placing in second).

Sixth place went to senior David Sullivan of Todd Beamer High School, who went win, loss, win, loss, win.

His wins were really something to see as he won, 9-7, in overtime, again a thriller at 9-8 and lastly an identical 9-7 in overtime. He then took sixth place.

Tevyn Tillman is in a class by himself, Tillman won the heavyweight crown in dominating fashion. He represents Decatur High School and is in his Junior year. He has an infectious smile that was there long before the championship and is someone we'll all want to watch next year. Tillman bested his opponent, Leroi Edwards of Kentridge, in the finals which moved his school [ Decatur ] into 15th place at the State Tournament.