Just two tickets. No second chances. The stakes were higher than in past years at the Class 4A District 4 championships Saturday at Union High School. With no regional wrestling tournaments this year, berths were on the line to the Mat Classic state championships in two weeks in Tacoma. And with just two state berths in each weight class, there was little margin for error. There was also a new wrinkle – Wrestlers who lost in the championship match had to face the survivor of the consolation bracket in a second-place match with each wrestler’s season on the line.

That’s how Battle Ground sophomore Andrew Gray punched his ticket to the Tacoma Dome. After losing 9-7 to reigning state champion Noah Koyama of Union in the 144-pound final, Gray had to regroup. He did so, beating Giovanni Perez-Garcia of Skyview 15-0 to grab the second Mat Classic berth. “It was nerve-wracking,” Gray said. “Ultimately you’ve got to go out there with a clear head and compete as hard as you can. That’s what I did and why I came out on top.” Wrestlers who extended their seasons on Saturday will compete in the largest Mat Classic to date. Each weight class will have 64 wrestlers, up from 32 last year.

JJ Schoenlein is ready for the challenge. The Skyview senior will aim for his third state title after he earned a tense 8-6 win over Camas junior Simon Jarrell in the 175-pound title match. Schoenlein entered Saturday ranked No. 1 and Jarrell No. 2 in that weight class across Class 4A. The whole season has been a challenge for Schoenlein, who recently returned to full health after recovering from mononucleosis. “What I’ve been telling myself lately is ‘this too shall pass,’” Schoenlein said. “Sickness will pass. Losses will pass. Wins will pass. It has brought me a true sense of peace, reminding me that I don’t have to be bigger than the moment.” Schoenlein was among four Skyview champions on Saturday, joining Jonas DesRochers (132 pounds), Mason DesRochers (138) and Sawyer Muehlbauer (215).

Dylan Dannenmann, Keegan Faust, Kyler Nelson and Daytanyn Harrington claimed second place to help the Storm win the district team title for the first time in program history. Skyview tallied 303.5 points to top Camas (285), Union (196) and Battle Ground (138). “Everyone showed up today and wrestled their hardest,” Schoenlein said. “It was a long two weeks of practice, but everyone has been in there grinding every single day. The atmosphere of our wrestling room has made everyone rise to the occasion. That’s what I’m most proud of.” Camas had six individual champions, the most of any team. Owen Yonge (126), Alec Fraser (150), Jace Meyer (157), Beau Harlan (165), Kannon Freschette (190) and Luke Webb (285) all won their weight classes. Class 4A Girls With eight individual champions, Union rolled to the team championship at the Class 4A District 4 championships at Union.

Titans senior Janessa O’Connell won her third consecutive tournament this season by capturing the 135-pound weight class. She was joined by Union teammates Addalyn Pierce (100 pounds), Portia Erickson (110), Taylor Knilans (120), Keely Talavera (130), Violet Marks (140), Brook Bahr (170) and Virginia Thomason (190) as winners of their weight classes. Union’s 206 points outdistanced Skyview (155), Camas (138) and Battle Ground (44). Class 3A Boys Tommie Vick and Christopher Simpson won individual titles as Prairie’s depth was enough to top Shelton for the 3A District 4 team title at Union. Vick won at 130 pounds and Simpson at 285. The Falcons also had six additional wrestlers place third in a tournament where the top three in each weight class qualified for Mat Classic. Mountain View had three champions as Rylan Reinebach (215), Kingston McPherson (165) and Kian Athey (120) won their weight classes.

Evergreen got titles from Jaysaun Scott (150) Cyrus Fausette-Sadri (157). Marco Luna (106) and Isaiah James (190) captured titles for Heritage. Class 3A Girls With eight individual champions, Kelso rolled to the Class 3A District 4 title at Union High. Leah Wallway (105 pounds), Marina Jimenez-Gonzalez (110), Kamiah Gaerlan (115), Olivia Engel (120), Alexa Ortiz-Marquez (130), Kaycee Potts (135), Ava Risner (145) all won titles Nevaeh Thomas (190). With three state berths in each weight class, Kelso qualified 17 wrestlers to Mat Classic. The Lassies will be a strong contender for the team title in the first year where 3A girls will have their own exclusive tournament. Class 3A and 4A held a combined tournament the past two years. Prior to that, all classifications competed together in the girls brackets at Mat Classic.

Class 2A Boys Washougal had four individual champions and claimed the team title at the 2A District 4 championships at Hockinson. Henry Logan (106 pounds), Ben Johansen (157), Garrett Lees (190) and Michael Camp (215) earned titles for the Panthers, whose 222.5 points outdistanced Ridgefield (189.5), Hockinson (182) and five additional teams. Ridgefield also had four champions with Zayne Martin (113), Cesar Solorio (126), Lance Draper (138) and Jacob Koch (175) claiming titles. Brothers Liam and Jacob McKee, as well as Wyatt Carter won titles for Hockinson. Class 1A Boys Castle Rock crowned champions in six weight classes to win the team title at the Trico League boys wrestling championship at La Center.

Cooper Williams (132), Landon Ramos (138), Landon Fulton (150), Nolen Nelson (157), Braden Swihart (165) and Mason Darvell (175) earned titles for the Rockets, who beat out La Center  294.5-265. Seton Catholic was third at 209.5. La Center had three champions — Hunter Shirley (100), Tyson Grove (215) and Wyatt Eiesland (285). Brody Christensen (106) and Connor Crum (126) won titles for Seton Catholic. Kalama got titles from Harrison Suzara (120) and Brayden Storedahl (144) and Zach Foreman (190). The top four placers from Saturday’s event clinched berths to the 1A state tournament. The fifth-place finisher qualified for a district crossover match next Saturday at Montesano.