Glahn brings back the bronze

By Neil Macdonald

Borderite Tyler Glahn won an 11-2 major decision on February 16 over Medical Lake’s Brad Groce to capture a third place medal in the 125-pound class at Mat Classic XIV (a.k.a. 2002 State Championships) in the Tacoma Dome.

Glahn decisioned Jorge Perez of Othello 13-2 in first round competition and pinned Octavio Mendoza of Richfield in 3:59 on February 15 to reach Saturday’s semifinals.

In his first semifinal fracas, Tyler lost an 8-2 decision to Elma’s Aaron Sample, the eventual 125-pound 2002 state champion, but came back to defeat Tenino’s Nathaniel Hicks, who was down 6-0 when he had to default due to injury. Tyler’s triumph over Hicks sent him into his match with Groce for third and fourth place. “Tyler wrestled a fantastic match (against Groce) and a fantastic tournament,” coach Craig Foster enthused, “He dominated the bouts he won.”

Glahn cheerfully summed up his third trip to state, “It was a lot of fun. A good end to 10 years of wrestling. I had a pretty tough match in semifinals, but I came back.”

Blaine’s other entrant at Mat Classic XIV, Richie Tewes, who qualified for State in the 130-pound class, was pinned by Othello’s J.D. Gomez and eliminated.

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