TACOMA - It wasn't the desired results coach Seth Meeks had hoped for when his team took to the mats for the state championship tournament in Tacoma over the weekend. But the Knights had a better showing than most as they finished seventh out of 46 teams. Orting took top honors with 166 points.

"I thought we wrestled well overall the first day," he said. "The second day the competition got better of course and we had a few upsets we weren't expecting. The biggest being Laddie Goroski (145) who was out after round two."

Royal did have success at the Mat Classic, as the team had two seconds, and two two fourth place finishers.

Brian Gallardo (106) won his first two matches at the Tacoma Dome, but lost to last years state champion Fred Green from Orting 4-0 to drop into the consolation bracket to face Ryan Wilson from Elam, whom he defeated 15-6 for the right to wrestle for third place. Gallardo was beaten by Ronay Tereza from HIghland 8-2 to finish fourth.

Danny Barajas (132), returning state champion from Royal, lost out on his bid to defend the crown. He beat Chris Ridner from Orting 15-2 in round one action, defeated Cutter Gran from Forks 10-5 in his second match, then lost to the eventual state champion Kit Major from Riverside by fall (2:35) to drop down to the consolation bracket.

Barajas pinned Alex Aguilar from Omak and advanced to wrestle Cortez Hernandez from Zillah. Hernanzed beat Barajas 11-6 for third place.

Alex Myrick (160) finished second at the Mat Classic. He pinned his first opponent to advance to to the championship bracket. Myrick faced Billy Poppie from Chelan in his first match on Saturday and came away with an 8-3 win to match up with Chase Fuson from Lakeside for the right to be named state champion. Myrick lost to Fuson 3-2 to finish second.

Damien Delarosa (182) also placed second at the tournament. He pinned his first opponent, Alex Cortez from Chelan. His second match was as exciting as they get as he beat Preston Morris from Vashon Island 8-6 in overtime to advance to the championship round to face Stuart Swartz from Chelan. Schwartz won by technical fall (17-2) to claim the crown.

Marianna Alvarez (118) pinned Tiffany Hu from Union to finish seventh in the girls competition.