Chiawana’s McBride in search of another trip to Mat Classic

Levi McBride was in coach Jack Anderson’s doghouse Wednesday after he showed up late for wrestling practice.

But that’s about all the Chiawana coach can find fault with McBride.

“He’s a great kid,” Anderson said. “Very respectful and has a great attitude. He’s a gentle giant off the mat.”

On the mat, the Riverhawks senior is a monster. He won his fourth Mid-Columbia Conference district title last weekend. Saturday, he will look to win the 220-pound regional title at University High School in Spokane. He won the 195-pound title last year.

“I feel pretty confident,” said McBride, who wrestled at heavyweight a good portion of the season. “I take it one match at a time, and I try to think positively.”

McBride will wrestle Austin Yearout of West Valley (Yakima) in his first match Saturday, but he’s just another name to McBride.

“I don’t really look at them,” McBride said. “I just focus on myself and what I am doing. That’s all I can control.”

McBride rolled up a 32-4 record this season, with all four losses at heavyweight.

“He’s really athletic and strong,” Anderson said. “He’s hard to score on. His legs are like tree trunks. He’s hard to shoot on.”

His success has come from a series of moves, and with his strength, it’s hard to counter.

“I like running a cross face with an arm bar,” McBride said. “Once I get ahold of their elbow, I’m able to keep it because of my strength.”

McBride has been to state twice, placing third last year at 195 and going 1-2 as a sophomore at 195. He’s ranked No. 2 in the state behind Federal Way’s Andrzej Hughes-Murray, who was third last year at 220.

While McBride is having success on the mat this season, his start in wrestling wasn’t near as spectacular.

“In the seventh grade, he wasn’t real tough,” Anderson said. “His freshman year, he had a tough tournament at the Bob Mars, and he wanted to quit. We had a talk, and he stuck it out. Then he beat our heavyweight at the time (Martin Villanueva) at the district tournament. That was impressive.”

This season, McBride is chasing a state title. He gets good time on the mat with Riverhawks 195-pounder Kameron Silvers.

“Kameron has improved a lot because of Levi,” Anderson said. “They are good for each other.”

“He is strong, fast and gives me strong competition,” McBride said of Silvers. “He pushes me in the room.”

Wrestling at heavyweight also has been a bonus for McBride.

“I don’t have any trouble making weight at 220,” he said. “I’m pretty quick and pretty strong for my weight class. After wrestling heavyweight, then you go to 220, you feel like a big guy.”

While college is definitely on his radar, McBride isn’t sure if wrestling will be a part of his college experience.

He has applied to Eastern Oregon University, which is resurrecting its wrestling program. He’s also been in contact with the coach at North Idaho College.

4A Regional

The MCC, Greater Spokane League and Big Nine will gather Saturday at University High School in Spokane for the Region 4 Tournament. The top four in each weight class will advance to state.

In addition to McBride, the Riverhawks have two other top seeds — Josh Miranda (120) and Cory Johnson (160).

Pasco has a top seed in Jake Covington (138), while Richland has Nic Workman at 285.

Sunnyside, which won the Big Nine district title last weekend, has three top seeds — Elias Romero (113), Diego Castaneda (145) and JJ Rodriguez (152).

3A Regional

The MCC squads will join teams from the Greater Spokane, KingCo and Greater St. Helens leagues Friday and Saturday at Hanford High School. Action begins at 4 p.m. Friday and at 10 a.m. Saturday. The top four in each weight class advance to state.

The first-round and quarterfinal matches will be held Friday.

Southridge has 16 at regionals, including top seeds Zayid Al-Ghani (170), Cesar Flores (126) and Xavier Velasco (120).

Kamiakin will take 21 to regionals, including top seeds Austin Almaguer (106), Riley Gurr (113), Rece Quintana (132), Sione Halo (145), Cyle DeLeon (152), Jacob Lawson (160), Luke Eskelsen (182) and Nick Little (285).

Kennewick’s Emilio Ramos is a top seed at 138, while Hanford’s Austin Dreyer (195) and Jonathan Burt (220) earned top seeds.

2A Regional

Teams from the CWAC and Great Northern League will compete in a modified 12-man bracket at West Valley (Spokane) High School at 11 a.m. Saturday. The top four in each weight class will advance to state.

1A Regional

The SCAC East and West will compete at Highland High School in Cowiche on Saturday. The top four will advance to state.

Girls regional

The best from the Central Washington League and Districts 5-9 will compete Saturday at Othello High School, with the top four moving on to state.

This story was originally published February 11, 2016 at 10:55 PM with the headline "Chiawana’s McBride in search of another trip to Mat Classic."