TACOMA — Kingston wrestler Peyton Reece, 125, defeated Hailey Huerta of Centralia 4-3 early Feb. 21 to advance to the state championship match, at 6:40 p.m. at the 2015 Mat Classic.
Reece faces Mariah Roggow of Kelso. Roggow won her earlier matches by pin in 2:40, 5-1, and 7-6 to advance to the championship match. Reece pinned Madeline Corn of Concrete in 31 seconds, pinned Nikki Valazquez of Othello in 5:09, then defeated Huerta to advance.
It’s Reece’s second consecutive visit to the mat for the state title. She finished second in 2014. This year, she is undefeated in regular- and post-season; she entered the Tacoma Dome early Feb. 20 with a 20-0 record and the No. 1 seed.
In 2014, she won the Reno World Tournament.
“Last year I took second [at the Mat Classic], and this year I got into the mindset that I was not going to lose to anybody,” Reece said after her first-round win. Of each match, she said, “I don’t try to study my opponent too much. I just go out there.”
Coach Chris Gilbreath said Reece is a seasoned, confident competitor.
Because she’s competed in the Tacoma Dome and at the Reno Worlds, “The Mat Classic is not an overpowering experience for her. That helps give her the confidence she needs,” he said.
Reece is the sister of four-time state wrestling champion Bobby Reece III (KHS class of 2014).
North Kitsap wrestler Nikitta Weston’s title hopes ended after a 3-1 loss to Felipe Arriagga of Toppenish. Weston, 145, was wrestling for a chance at third place after losing 4-0 to Zach Volk of Fife, Feb. 20. He won his first-round match 9-7 in OT, defeating Gage Keesee of Black Hills.
