TACOMA — Hudson’s Bay’s Allison Blaine’s wrestling career has reached its glorious conclusion.
With a 15-4 decision over North Kitsap’s Elise Scrafford in the 135-pound championship at Mat Classic XXXII on Saturday at the Tacoma Dome, Blaine became the fourth Clark County wrestler to win three state titles. She joins Camas’ Bill Bradley (1979-81), Evergreen’s Ben Vombaur (1996-98) and Columbia River’s Kyle Bounds (2002-05).
“It feels surreal,” Blaine said. “It’s my last one. I’m never going to be in this dome again. The last four years have been great. I wouldn’t change anything.”
Entering Saturday’s finals, Blaine hadn’t made it out of the first round, pinning all three of her opponents in the opening two minutes. That was reason for slight concern.
“Honestly I was a little nervous for my finals because I hadn’t wrestled a six-minute match,” Blaine said. “It was going to be first real win of the weekend really. I knew I could pull through.”
Blaine proved she was one of the most dominant girls the state has seen with the convincing decision. She ends her career 92-1, the lone defeat coming in the state semifinals her freshman year.
“High school wrestling, I think I’m done with it,” Blaine said with a smile. “It definitely was one of the best experiences of my life.”
The last wrestler to accomplish the feat was in the building Saturday. Kyle Bounds is an assistant coach for Union, and won his titles in 2002, 2004 and 2005.
“It’s not easy. You have to dedicate yourself; it’s a lot of lonely nights,” Bounds said. “She was willing to do that. I love to watch her wrestle. I’m proud of her.”
Earlier in the evening, Mountain View junior Noah Messman won No. 1. Not just for himself, but for Mountain View.
Messman toppled Kelso’s Derick Soto for the third time in as many weeks, winning by 8-7 decision in the 132-pound finals to become the Thunder’s first state wrestling champion.
“I’m not trying to sound all sappy and stuff but this is something I’ve been thinking about since third grade,” Messman said. “My goal ever since I was 8 years old was to be the first ever state champion from Mountain View. It’s just so crazy to see my dream since I was a young kid … to finally become reality.”
The result wasn’t without controversy. In the final moments, Soto neared a takedown which would have reversed the result. Longtime Kelso coach Bob Freund plead with officials, but Messman still walked away a state champion.
“Credit to all those who helped me when I start to wander off,” Messman said. “When I seem cool, when I seem calm, when I seem collected out there, a lot of it’s because of my teammates, my coaches and everyone helping me.”
Messman was followed by a pair of local 3A finalists in Prairie’s Jason Wilcox and Evergreen’s Denny Roa, both making their Mat Classic finals debut.
Wilcox, a junior, lost by 4-2 decision to Edmonds-Woodway’s Alex Rapleje. Roa, a senior, lost 10-3 to Mount Spokane’s Ky Haney.
