Toppenish High Wrestler Extends Streak To 66 Wins

TACOMA - Toppenish's Jason Seal, one of the smallest wrestlers in the tournament, had one of the biggest smiles Saturday night after winning a first-place trophy in Mat Classic III, the high-school state wrestling championships at the Tacoma Dome.

Seal, 101-pound Class A-B champ a year ago, successfully stepped up to 108 competition by claiming a 16-12 overtime victory over Wapato's Demetrius Ramos, the 101-pound king in 1988 and 1989 and third as a 108-pounder in 1990.

``Off the mat,'' Seal said, ``we're good buddies. On the mat, we have to get serious.''

Seal has won 66 consecutive matches, is 4-0 against Ramos this season and has a 5-4-1 career record over the Wapato standout.

Ramos was the only two-time previous champion in the unique three-enrollment classification tournament held in the world's largest wood-domed arena.

Seal was one of six 1990 champions who returned, each in heavier weight divisions. All but one took home another first-place trophy.

Kentwood became the first Class AAA school since Moses Lake in 1979-80 to repeat as champion. The Conquerors took the team title with 100 1/2 points, and Marysville-Pilchuck finished second with 74.

Tahoma, fourth a year ago, claimed its first Class AA wrestling team title with 94 1/2 points. Sedro-Woolley was second with 78.

Toppenish, also fourth in 1990, captured its first Class A-B wrestling crown with 108 points. Vashon Island was second with 90.

Ken Pelo of Spokane's Rogers (Class AAA), Brian Higa of Tahoma (Class AA ) and Larry Gibson of Omak (Class A-B) were announced as coaches of the year by the Washington State Wrestling Coaches Association.