Smiles, tears and long embraces marked the Mat Classic state wrestling tournament Friday and Saturday at the Tacoma Dome.

Wrestlers from across the state converged to find out who would stand on the top step. Whether the matches were the first of the tournament or the final for the championship medals, emotions ran high for the athletes, coaches, parents and friends.

In the 2A state division, Lindbergh took 10th with 47 points, Liberty 34th with 15 and Renton 36th with 12.

LINDBERGH

The Eagles came home with one state tile and two wrestlers placing in the top eight.

Diego Gallegos beat Winston Scott from East Valley in Spokane taking an 8-4 decision in the 182-pound weight class.

Gallegos opened the tournament in dominating fashion by pinning Julian Gonzalez from Blaine in 3:23. In the second round he took an 11-2 decision over Boedy Taylor from Cheney. In the semifinal he won by injury default over Salvador Osoria.

The final match was close in the first round, but as the match continued Gallegos showed he was the superior wrestler.

“I knew he was a head and arm guy,” Gallegos said “Trying to make the big moves, trying to keep me on my back. He got me in the first round, I caught myself on that. That was my mistake. I knew he was trying to do that. I stuck with what I do best — single legs, double legs. Pushing on him, putting pressure on him, doing what I do best. He ran out of gas and I got him on his back.”

At the end of the match Gallegos, a senior, knew he had reached the top.

“Deep down I saw it in my future,” he said, his voice breaking. “I had my grandpa upstairs, he really want me to do this. I just wanted to make him proud. I know he is out here to see me do it. I know he’s watching…. A state title, you got to love it.”

Senior Deven Maddy took fourth place in the 152 weight class. He opened the tournament by pinning Noah Stroosma from Sedro Wooley.

A.J Sellem at 285 took eighth at the Mat Classic.

LIBERTY

The Patriots had one wrestler finish in the top eight in the 2A division

Jacob Holm in the 132 weight class took fifth.

Jakob Dasilva at 285 qualified for state.

RENTON

For the Indians John Pham finished sixth in the 106 pound weight class in the 2A division.

HAZEN

Hazen had two who qualified for the state tournament. Tyson Mowrey at 132 and Mario Wesa at 138. Hazen also had one girl finish in the top eight at the Mat Classic. Raven Svenson took fifth in the 155 weight class.