King beats long odds for runner-up finish at state

For a guy who before the season began was seen by some as a long-shot at best to even reach the state tournament, Medical Lake’s Anton King certainly beat a lot of odds.

The senior lost in overtime in the 138-pound final at last weekend’s Mat Classic XXV in Tacoma, 5-3 to Cortes Hernandez from Zillah. The loss was King’s first this season and he finished 34-1 and 110-36 in his Cardinal career.

“If at the beginning of the year if someone would have told a wrestler who didn’t even make it to state the year before that he would be in the state championship I bet almost every wrestler would take it,” Medical Lake head coach Sam Petersen said.  

King rolled through his preliminary rounds beating Josh Sayler of Cascade Christian 9-0 in the opener. He topped Ricky Branagan from Forks and Kiona-Benton’s Kale Setzer in falls to reach the final.“He really wrestled well this weekend,” Petersen said of King. “The guy from Zillah who beat him was third in the state last year and ranked No. 1 most of the season.”

It’s tough when the only loss of your season is the last one, Petersen said. “Anton was really bummed after being so close, but what a great accomplishment.

“He had a great season and is a wrestler we will miss next year very much,” Petersen said.

Medical Lake’s other two qualifiers, sophomores Ricky Petersen at 132-pounds, and heavyweight William Kearney each lost in the first round and were eliminated.

“The other two wrestlers wrestled well but just had tough losses,” Petersen said. “Everyone at state is a good wrestler and if you don't wrestle your best you won't last for long.”

Paul Delaney can be reached at pdelaney@cheneyfreepress.com.