Both have had longstanding state-tournament success - the Cardinals in Class 2A, and Toppenish in Class 1A (and 2A before that). Both came into Mat Classic XXXVI with big-match champions - ones who came into the weekend on four-peat quests.

Gonzaga Prep's Israel Acosta celebrates after winning his 4A boys 144-pound title match at Mat Classic 36 on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, at the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Washington. (Madison McCord/For The Spokesman-Review)

The match referee lifts up the arm of Orting’s Madison Watts after she defeated Aberdeen’s Felicia Bell to win the Class 2A, 125-pound state title on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Mat Classic XXXVI at the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Wash. Pete Caster/Pete Caster / [email protected]

Seventeen Valley wrestlers won individual championships in Tacoma and three teams brought home team titles in an onslaught of accolades at Mat Classic XXXVI in the Tacoma Dome.

Anderson: “It was meant to be, you know? I could not see Toppenish beating us. ... It just doesn’t go through my mind, taking second.”

Although Whatcom and Skagit counties did not have a state champion this year, the two combined for 27 athletes reaching the podium, including six wrestlers advancing to their respective championship matches.