The number one ranked Lake Stevens Vikings won its eighth Wrestling State Championship at Mat Classic XXIII in the Tacoma Dome held last Friday and Saturday, Feb. 18 and 19.

It is the Vikings’ fourth state title in the past five years and its fifth since 2004. 

Leading the way after finishing second last year at the state tournament, Lake’s Steven Walkley pinned his way through the 140-pound bracket and defeated Mac Hutchinson of Edmonds-Woodway, by fall in 1:19 in the championship finals to win his first individual State Championship.

Walkley’s win helped seal the team championship for Lake Stevens by raising the Vikings’ total team points to 129.5 which essentially took second place Moses Lake out of the running, even though they had four wrestlers in the finals yet to wrestle.

The Chiefs would have to win all four and get bonus points to overtake the Vikings.

Moses Lake finished in second place with 119 points.

Junior Steven Walkley was Lake Stevens’ only individual champion, but the Vikings had seven other top six placers who took home medals and contributed key team points.