CONNOR’S PICKS
Wrestling: Mat Classic XXXV state wrestling tournament
9 a.m., Feb. 16–17, Tacoma Dome
Revered as one of the most chaotic events in Washington prep sports, the Mat Classic is nearly upon us.
Last year, Mount Baker’s Elijah Washburn was Whatcom County’s sole state champion. Five local wrestlers reached state title matches a season ago, but only one was able to bring home a championship.
The good news: Championships aside, 18 wrestlers finished eighth or higher in their respective weight classes. This year’s class of athletes has the potential to improve on that number, with a high likelihood of more than one title winner.
The player fields are more favorable for many of the county’s top wrestlers, and more locals are headed to the tournament. Last season, 48 athletes advanced to state, whereas 54 are headed to Tacoma this weekend.
That should make for an exciting second day of the event on Saturday, Feb. 17, when the semifinals and finals are wrestled.
WWU: Men’s basketball vs. Northwest Nazarene and Central Washington
7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, Carver Gym
It was impossible to choose which one of these games is more vital to the Vikings’ Great Northwest Athletic Conference playoff hopes, so I am picking both of them.
These two games will likely make or break the Western Washington University men’s basketball team’s season, depending on how their two-game road trip in Alaska goes Feb. 15–17.
As of Tuesday, Feb. 13, Western (14-10, 6-7 GNAC) is in fifth place in the league standings, with only a half-game cushion between its current placement and seventh — the first spot left out of the postseason.
That means if the Vikings lose even one game to Alaska Anchorage or Alaska Fairbanks on the road, they run the risk of falling out of the playoff picture with just three games remaining in the regular season.
Regardless of those results, third-place Northwest Nazarene (13-8, 9-4 GNAC) and fourth-place Central Washington (15-7, 8-5 GNAC) will not be easy tasks. It will be difficult to pass either of those teams in the standings, win or lose, but Western needs to beat them to ensure they get to keep playing into March.
Recreation: Bellingham Bay Outrigger Paddlers Winter Race Series No. 4
10 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 24, Marine Park
Whether you’re entrenched in the local paddling community or not, these races feature some of the top athletes that Whatcom County and its neighboring areas have to offer.
Beginning at Marine Park in Fairhaven, paddlers head south along the shoreline, around Clark’s Point and into Mud Bay before looping back to the starting line. It’s a 6-mile round-trip course that may be altered slightly depending on wind and water conditions the day of the race, according to the event’s website.
Boat classes permitted include both single and double outriggers, surfskis, stand-up paddleboards and V1 (or rudderless) boats.
Pre-registration is required, with a maximum cost of $30. Safety boats will be on the course, but participants must “be capable of self-rescue,” according to the website.
FULL CALENDAR
Friday, Feb. 16
Boys basketball
1A District 1 consolation final: Meridian vs. Nooksack Valley, 5:30 p.m., Lynden High School
Girls basketball
1A District 1 consolation final: Meridian vs. Lynden Christian, 7:15 p.m., Lynden High School
Boys and girls wrestling
Mat Classic XXXV, all day, Tacoma Dome
Boys swim and dive
State championships, all day, King County Aquatic Center
Recreation
Therapeutic Movement and Meditation, 6 p.m., Bloedel Donovan Park’s Community Building
Saturday, Feb. 17
Boys basketball
2A District 1 winner-to-state game, 7:15 p.m., Mount Vernon High School
Girls basketball
2A District 1 winner-to-state game, 5:30 p.m., Mount Vernon High School
Boys and girls wrestling
Mat Classic XXXV, all day, Tacoma Dome
Boys swim and dive
State championships, all day, King County Aquatic Center
WWU
Softball vs. British Columbia, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., Viking Field
Men’s basketball at Alaska Anchorage, 5:15 p.m.
Women’s basketball vs. Saint Martin’s, 7 p.m., Carver Gym
WCC
Women’s basketball vs. Bellevue, 2 p.m., Whatcom Pavilion
Men’s basketball vs. Bellevue, 4 p.m., Whatcom Pavilion
Recreation
Fragrance Lake 10k/Half/50k, 6 a.m., Larrabee State Park
Spacewolf Trail Day, 9 a.m., Spacewolf Mountain Biking Trail
Woolley Trail Runs, 9 a.m., Sedro-Woolley
Bushcraft Crash Course: Survival Basics, 10 a.m., Deming
Sunday, Feb. 18
Recreation
Ski Shuttle to Mount Baker, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Convergence Zone Recreation Center
Maple Creek Park Photography Walk, 11 a.m., 7842 Silver Lake Road, Maple Falls
Monday, Feb. 19
WWU
Track and field at GNAC Indoor Track & Field Championships, 9 a.m., The Podium (Spokane)
NHL
Detroit Red Wings at Seattle Kraken, 12:30 p.m.
Recreation
SPIN Dance, 6 p.m., Bloedel Gymnasium/Multipurpose Room
Tuesday, Feb. 20
WWU
Track and field at GNAC Indoor Track & Field Championships, 9 a.m., The Podium (Spokane)
Wednesday, Feb. 21
WCC
Women’s basketball at Edmonds Community College, 5 p.m.
Men’s basketball at Edmonds Community College, 7 p.m.
Recreation
Badminton at Bloedel, 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., Bloedel Donovan Multipurpose Room
Thursday, Feb. 22
WWU
Men’s basketball vs. Northwest Nazarene, 7 p.m., Carver Gym
Women’s basketball vs. MSU Billings, 7 p.m.
NHL
Vancouver Canucks at Seattle Kraken, 7 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 23
Boys basketball
1A regionals, time, teams and location TBD
2A regionals, time, teams and location TBD
Girls basketball
1A regionals, time, teams and location TBD
2A regionals, time, teams and location TBD
WWU
Track and field at Ken Shannon Last Chance Invite, 12 p.m., Dempsey Indoor (Seattle)
Softball at Saint Martin’s, 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 24
Boys basketball
1A regionals, time, teams and location TBD
2A regionals, time, teams and location TBD
Girls basketball
1A regionals, time, teams and location TBD
2A regionals, time, teams and location TBD
WWU
Track and field at Ken Shannon Last Chance Invite, 10 a.m., Dempsey Indoor (Seattle)
Softball vs. Western Oregon, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., at Saint Martin’s University
Women’s basketball vs. Seattle Pacific, 4:15 p.m.
Men’s basketball vs. Central Washington, 7 p.m., Carver Gym
WCC
Women’s basketball at Skagit Valley, 2 p.m.
Men’s basketball at Skagit Valley, 4 p.m.
NHL
Minnesota Wild at Seattle Kraken, 7 p.m.
Recreation
Bellingham Bay Outrigger Paddlers Winter Series Race #4, 10 a.m., Marine Park
Lord Hill Trail Runs, 8 a.m., Lord Hill Regional Park
Fort Ebey Kettles Trail Run, 9 a.m., Fort Eby State Park
Native Plant Restoration, 9 a.m., Galbraith Mountain and Padden Trails Parking Lot
Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition Oriental Express Trail Day, 9:30 a.m.
Sunday, Feb. 25
Recreation
Walking Soccer, 6 p.m., Bellingham Sportsplex
CDN’s sports calendar is published online Thursdays and in print Fridays. To submit an event for consideration, email connorbenintendi@cascadiadaily.com. News Producer Eric Trent compiled the featured listings.
Connor J. Benintendi is a former CDN sports reporter, send tips and information to newstips@cascadiadaily.com.
