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.

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 / pcaster@thenewstribune.com

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)

Tahoma boys repeat as 4A champions after holding off Mead in finals while White River breaks tie with Hermiston to win 3A boys crown

Mat Classic XXXVI’s three-day format kicks off Thursday morning at the Tacoma Dome. Find local teams represented, individual wrestlers to watch, schedules, ticket information, and more: More information and full brackets can be found at the WIAA’s Tournament Central site.

The 2A, 1A, 2B/1B boys’ and 2A, 1A/2B/1B girls’ state wrestling championships commenced Saturday at the Tacoma Dome. The 2025 Mat Classic XXXVI qualified only the best wrestlers

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.

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.”