1. University takes home wrestling title: University of Spokane dominated the Class 4A state tournament at the Mat Classic at the Tacoma Dome. The Titans brought 10 wrestlers, and nine took home medals (top-eight finishes). Ryan Zumwalt (152) and Jake Mason (160) took home titles for U-Hi, which snapped Lake Stevens' run of three straight titles. Yelm won the Class 3A title and snapped a two-game state title streak. Orting, considered the best team in the state, cruised to the Class 1A title. For complete results, click
here.
2. Mercer Island dynasty continues: Mercer Island won its fifth straight Class 3A state swimming title in dominating fashion. The Islanders scored 396 points, the second-most in state history. Second-place Bellevue scored 188. Mercer had only one individual title (Jimmy Deiparine in the 100 breast) and swept all three relays. Shorewood won the Class 4A state title despite bringing just five swimmers and a diver. The Thunderbirds won two relays. For complete state swimming results, click
here.
3. Another gymnastics title for Woodinville: Woodinville won its fourth consecutive state gymnastics title. The Falcons haven't lost in the regular or postseason meet in four years. Woodinville cruised to the title at 181.1 points. Second place was Federal Way's Todd Beamer at 169.35. Auburn Mountainview won the Class 3A/2A state title for the first time, edging defending champs Columbia River 169-167.1. For complete state gymnastics results, click
here.
4. First state hoops tourney on tap: The Class 1B state tournament, comprised of the state's smallest schools, is the first of six state basketball tournaments over the next three weeks. The boys bracket for the tourney in Yakima is
here. The girls bracket is here. 
Joshua Smith, Kentwood
File photo by Dennis Lee
5. Joshua Smith headed to Jordan Brand Classic: Kentwood's 6-foot-10 center Joshua Smith has been selected to play in the elite Jordan Brand Classic in April in New York. Smith, a UCLA signee, is a McDonald's All-American.
Top performers
Derek Garcia (Sedro-Woolley wrestling): The senior became the seventh wrestler in state history to win four state titles, beating Ben Carter of North Central of Spokane 18-5.
Ryn Rollins (Republic wrestling): In the Class B tourney, he won his fourth straight title at 119 pounds.
Ethan Hallowell (Eastside Catholic swimming): The junior won his third straight Class 3A 100 free title and added a 200 free title with an All-American time of 1 minute 40.48 seconds.
Garren Riechel (Snohomish swimming): The senior fell short of his goal of setting a national breaststroke title, but he won his fourth consecutive title in the 100 breast (55.63). He also won the 50 free (20.91). He had All-American times in both.
Hailey Wells (Woodinville gymnastics): The senior won the Class 4A state all-around title at 37.9 points. Well was second last year and fourth the previous two seasons. She also won a state title on the bars and tied for the floor title.
Taisha Duran (Hudson's Bay gymnastics): The senior won the Class 3A/2A state all-around title at 38.05 points. She also won a state title on the vault.
Upcoming events
Now that the state wrestling, swimming and gymnastics events are done, it's all about basketball now. The Class 4A 1A and 2B district tournament will wrap up this weekend as state tournaments for those classifications begin next week. The Class 3A and 2A district tournaments will start this week. State tournaments for those classifications aren't for two weeks.
Nate's notes
The district and state basketball tournaments are one of my absolute favorite times of the year. Washington has become as good as any state in the union for producing top-flight basketball talent. For the next couple weeks, you can travel up and down Interstate-5 on any given night and see several of them play. The SeaKing District and West Central District tournaments are must-see run-ups to state tournaments. And it's all cheaper than seeing a movie. ... It was mentioned here a few week ago that highly recruited Garfield point guard Tony Wroten might return to the court this season. Wroten injured a knee during football season. The Seattle Times reported that his family decided Wroten needs at least another month of recovery.
Nathan Joyce has been a sports writer in Washington for 12 years. He currently works at the Kitsap Sun in Bremerton.
