Hazen High School sends school record eight wrestlers to state tourney
March 2, 2012
The Hazen High School wrestling team posted its most successful regional tournament performance ever after placing fifth out of 15 teams at the 3A Eastside Catholic Regional Feb. 11, advancing a school record of eight individuals to the Washington state tournament.
At 160 pounds, Andre Faciane and Jose Ramirez became the first pair of Hazen wrestlers to qualify for the state tournament in the same weight class.
Faciane became Hazen’s first regional champion under coach Rory Magana and the current coaching staff in a 17-8 major decision over Andrew Kennedy, of Bishop Blanchet.
Freshman Derek Nichols made it to the 106-pound finals but lost a down-to-the-wire battle (9-6 decision) to senior Justin Mah, of Franklin.
Zach Moore (113), Austin Clark (132) and Jose Ramirez (160) all took third while Daniel Karpman (138), Jeremy Guilbert (195) and Justin Russell (220) all took fourth place.
O’Dea ultimately won the match with 201 points.
The Hazen team finished second at the Seamount 3A wrestling championships Feb. 4, trailing behind Highline which won with 208 points.
Derek Nichols (106 pounds), Zach Moore (113), Austin Clark (132), Daniel Karpman (138), Andre Faciane (160) and Jeremy Guilbert (195) won 3A league titles at the match.
Liberty wrestler finishes sixth at Mat Classic
March 2, 2012
When the last chapter closed on the 2012 Mat Classic, all it said about Hamilton Noel’s performance was that the Liberty High School senior finished sixth in the 160-pound division at the Class 3A Tournament.
Not a word about his heart, of which he displayed plenty in the Tacoma Dome. Not a comma about his tears, of which there were a few. Not a period about how he stepped on the mat weakened by an unspecified ailment that made him look almost nothing like the champion that dominated at regionals.
At the end, the fact that Mercer Island’s Blake Johnson, the wrestler who won the 160-pound state title was the same one Noel defeated at the regional finals seven days earlier, seemed to do nothing but add insult to an already injured warrior.
In 2010, then-145-pounder Noel lost to Olympic High School’s Brandon Yeik, 13-7, in the state finals.
In 2011, 152-pounder Noel lost to Enumclaw’s Josh Musick, 6-2, in the state finals.
The win against Johnson was the fourth in five tries for Noel. Noel stepped onto the mat for the regional finals having won two of their three encounters this season.
Liberty High School junior is a triple-threat athlete
May 6, 2011
Hamilton Noel, Liberty High School junior has the top position on Enumclaw’s Josh Musick early in their 152-pound state 3A championship match Feb. 19 at the Tacoma Dome. By Sebastian Moraga
For as long as he can remember, Liberty High School wrestler Hamilton Noel has learned from the best. His father, Wright Noel, was a state championship high school wrestler and an NCAA First-Team All-American wrestler at Brigham Young University.
With the lessons learned from his father — and his own strength and determination — Hamilton Noel took second place in his weight class at the state wrestling championships for the past two years.
Wrestlers build a legacy for Highlanders
March 4, 2011
Team wins Seamount title with victory over Renton
Hazen High School sophomore Daniel Karpman, advanced to the state tournament in the Tacoma Dome Feb. 18. By Sebastian Moraga
The Hazen High School wrestling team won its first Seamount League championship in more than a decade last month, a victory that came from defeating Renton on Jan. 27.
Hazen wrestling takes Seamount Championship
February 4, 2011
The Hazen High School wrestling team took the Seamount League dual match title in January.
The Highlanders went 6-1 in the season, falling only to Lindbergh High School.
The league championship came down to a match against Renton High School Jan. 27. Hazen came away with a 41-33 win to take the title.
Patriots wrestler takes second place at state
March 4, 2010
Liberty’s Chris Harlin wrestles Mercer Island’s TJ Blackburn at the state tournament. Harlin won the match and eventually took sixth place in the 3A 215-pound weight class. By Tim Pfarr
Wrestler Hamilton Noel, of Liberty High School, took second place in his division at the Mat Classic XXII state tournament Feb. 20 in the Tacoma Dome.
Liberty’s wrestlers go undefeated
February 4, 2010
January wins over Garfield, Interlake and Skyline give Patriots KingCo Crest title
Liberty’s Wright Noel Jr. pounces on his opponent in the finals of the Liberty Invitational wrestling tournament Jan. 9. Noel took first place in the 140-pound weight class in the tournament. By Tim Pfarr
The Liberty Patriots wrestling team finished its 2009-2010 season undefeated, taking the KingCo Crest championship. Seven seniors — including captains Wright Noel Jr. and Danny Velasquez — helped carry the team to victory this year.
Liberty wrestlers look to expand upon last season’s successes
December 7, 2009
After sending eight wrestlers to the state tournament in the 2008-2009 season, Liberty’s wrestling team looks to continue to grow and be even more successful.
“We’re hoping to get our name on the board this year,” head coach Manny Brown said. Read more
