Lake Stevens High School Athletics
Grante Falls High School Athletics
Purple and Gold Pigskin

Lake Stevens’ wrestler Eric Soler won the 126 lb. 4A State wrestling championship Saturday, February 18, leading the Vikings to a fifth place finish in the team standings.

Soler defeated two former state champions and undefeated wrestlers in the semifinals and finals to capture the 126 lb. title.
In the semi-finals Soler scored a two point take down with seconds to go in the match to pull out a 6-5 victory over Ares Carpio of Todd Beamer High School. Then in the finals versuss Steven Hopkins of Tahoma, Soler led 6-4 with time running out but gave up a two point take down to Hopkins at the buzzer sending the match into sudden death overtime.

In overtime Soler went on the attack and scored the winning take down 20 seconds into overtime for the victory.
Also making the championship match for the Vikings was Brandon Johnson at 285 lbs. Johnson pressed the action the entire match but only led 1-0 into the third round versus Kyle Lanoue of Central Kitsap.

In the third Lanoue tied the score at 1-1 to force overtime. Johnson attempted a takedown in overtime for the win but was countered and gave up the winning takedown to Lanoue to finish in second place.

Also scoring team points for the Vikings was Kinsey Johnson (138 lbs.) and Ryan Olliges (182 lbs.).
Both wrestlers placed third in their division. The Vikings came home with a fifth place finish.