Five Papermakers advance to the Mat Classic

After Tye Lommasson became a district and a regional wrestling champion for Camas, Austin Miller delivered a sensational encore performance Saturday at Heritage High School.

Lommasson grounded Skyline’s Joseph Dematteo 6-3 in the 126-pound 4A regional championship match. Dematteo was one of the top-ranked wrestlers in the state, but the Papermaker was able to keep the Spartan on the mat.

“I had butterflies, but I just had to fight through it,” Lommasson said. “This just feels awesome. It’s my first time going to state. I can’t wait to show everyone what I got.”

In the hours before the match, Tye found out his sister Taryn also qualified for state at the girls regional tournament in Battle Ground. That was all the motivation he needed.

“I’m ready, and I know that she’s ready,” he said. “We’ve been waiting for this for a long time.”

Now it was “Mill Town” Miller’s turn. The Papermaker and Sean Trenda of Battle Ground had the crowd clamoring on their every move.

Miller lost his advantage in the third round, but gained it back when he grabbed Trenda’s head and leg and nearly pinned him. Trenda fought back up to a standing position and took Miller down, but the time expired. Miller held on for a 13-11 victory. Both wrestlers hugged in the center of the circle.

“Wrestling each other is fun,” Miller said. “We’ve had three matches against each other so far, and each one of them has been special.”

Saturday belonged to Miller. Although he lost the district title a week ago, the Camas senior came back even stronger and grabbed that prestigious regional championship medal.

“Wrestling is more rewarding than any other sport. We did it for a reason,” Miller said. “If you never quit, keep striving and you put in the time and the effort, you will achieve your goal.”

Miller and Tye and Taryn Lommasson earned the opportunity to wrestle for a state medal Friday and Saturday, inside the Tacoma Dome. Dakota Safford and Bryant Elliott will join them after they both earned fourth place at the regional tournament. Vince Huber finished in fifth place and Andrew Duffy settled for sixth.

“I’ve put in a lot of work for the last seven years, and this is my time to show it,” Miller said. “I’m not stopping until I get a medal, or I win the whole thing.”