Nick Reed
Medical Lake High School senior Nick Reed added his name to the school's wrestling history after he took eighth in the 113-pound weight division at the Mat Classic XXVIII, Feb. 20, at the Tacoma Dome.
Reed's journey to the history books began after Highland's Manuel Cisneros-Vargas pinned him in the first-round of the bracket. In the consolation rounds, he pinned Klahowya's Mason Clark and defeated Vashon Island's Preston Petersen, 9-2, before he lost to Freeman's Hunter Nees, 4-1. Vashon Island's Luke Larson pinned Reed in the seventh-place match.
"You always want your seniors to come out on a high note at state, you want them to bring something home," head coach Josh Edmondson said. "The medal he won serves that purpose. I told him he's found his mark in the school's history."
Reed's name will be displayed alongside other Medical Lake wrestlers who have placed in state, including Edmondson's. Edmondson added that Reed hopes to wrestle in college, possibly at North Idaho College where he wrestled after graduating from Medical Lake in 2003.
Freshman Justin Warnick (120), the Cardinal's other state-qualifier, went 1-2 in his division. After losing to Klahowya's Dylan Stafford via pin, Warnick pinned Elma's Mario Yanez. He was eliminated from the tournament after Lakeside's Andrew Smith pinned him.
"Justin got the one win, which was very exciting and was close to getting the other," Edmondson said. "This experience is definitely something for him to grow on."
As a team, Medical Lake was 34th out of 45 1A schools with eight points.
Al Stover can be reached at al@cheneyfreepress.com.
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