Logan Massie, Mi Amada Lanphear Ramirez, and Lars Wakefield of the East Jefferson Rivals wrestling program are headed to State after spectacular performances from all three in the Regional Championships Saturday.

Massie finished in the top spot for his weight class, becoming regional champion and the highest ranked 170-pound 1A wrestler in Western Washington.

Lanphear Ramirez ended up taking silver in the 115-pound weight class, advancing to State in her first year of wrestling.

Wakefield grappled his way to sixth place in the 285-pound division with one of his best tournament performances to date, punching his ticket to State.

“[I’ve] really enjoyed this group of kids this year,” said Steve Grimm, head coach of the Rivals wrestling program.

“These kids are the ones you really want to see succeed because they are such good people,” he said.

The Rivals girls went to Aberdeen, while the boys travelled to Hoquiam for their Regionals tournaments Saturday, Feb. 12.

Massie went undefeated in his four matches, defeating all opponents by fall or injury to earn gold.

“Logan can beat anyone in the state. He is very gifted in wrestling, among other things, but at this high level, everyone is good and anyone can beat anyone,” Grimm said.

“Logan has been working hard all year and is focused and ready. He will look to make history and become the second person from our school to ever win a State title. It’s going to be a fun ride.”

Over in Aberdeen, Lanphear Ramirez’s first matchup ended as a bye victory, then she went on to swiftly defeat two competitors via fall. In the championship matchup, Lanphear Ramirez put in a top-notch effort but fell short and lost the match by decision.

“I don’t think we ever had a first-year wrestler qualify for State before. She is just so strong and tough. Like Logan, Mi Amada has a unique style of wrestling. They both have intangibles that allow them the ability to beat anyone,” Grimm said.

“She took second, only losing to a great wrestler from Ridgefield [High School] that placed seventh at State two years ago.

“Mi Amada did all that on a sprained ankle. She’s tough as nails, I’d place my bet on her over anyone,” the coach said.

Wakefield lost his opening matchup but had a resounding comeback to finish with a 3-3 record in the tourney and take the final qualifying spot for his division.

“He wrestled probably one of his best tournaments. He has been really coming on strong in the last half of the season. I was super proud to see him make it as a junior,” Grimm said. “Him and Mi Amada will get to experience ‘The Big Show’ at the Tacoma Dome for the first time; 24 mats going and all the best in one building.”

Additionally, Sam Lampert, Gage Barry, Devon Bennett-Anderson, and Beau Manuel of the Rivals competed in Regionals but fell short of qualifying for State.

Coming up Feb. 18 and Feb. 19, Wakefield, Lanphear Ramirez, and Massie will face the best high school wrestlers in the state of Washington at the Mat Classic XXXIII State wrestling tournament in Tacoma.

“The top six from the western side of Washington moved on to State. They will combine with the top six from Eastern Washington to create a 12-person state bracket, which is new. Normally it’s 16,” Grimm said.

The stakes are high for the wrestlers and coaches as the Rivals hope to bring a state title back to East Jefferson.

“This escaped us two years ago when we had two wrestlers place [in] second place,” Grimm said.

The last state champion was Dominic Harper in 1982, he added.