MIHS senior Chase Warnick Wins 157-pound wrestling 3A State Championship as Mercer Island Wrestling Shines at WIAA Mat Classic

Standing left to right: Luke Sincock, Lincoln Woods, Derek Loo, Gordon Gibson, Chase Warnick, Max Martin, Jordan Benitez, Emerson Woods, assistant coach Chris Pothoven. Kneeling left to right: volunteer coach Zack Koeller, head coach David Woo.

Mercer Island, WA, February 23, 2023 – The Mercer Island High School wrestling team capped off an incredible season with a dominant showing at the WIAA Mat Classic State Championships this weekend.

Six wrestlers earned podium finishes and the team secured an 8th-place finish out of 72 schools competing. This performance solidifies Mercer Island as one of the premier wrestling programs in Washington.

Leading the charge was senior and team captain, Chase Warnick (157 lbs.), who delivered a superb performance to claim the state title in his weight class. Another standout performance came from freshman Emerson Woods (115 lbs.), Mercer Island’s only female wrestler, who showcased her talent and resilience to earn a 4th-place finish in her state championship debut.

This success builds on an already historic season for the Islanders, who also captured the KingCo Championship and sent a record number of athletes to the state tournament.

Mercer Island State Medalists:

Chase Warnick, senior (157 lbs.) – 1st place

Emerson Woods, freshman (115 lbs.) – 4th place

Gordon Gibson, senior (144 lbs.) – 5th place

Max Martin, senior (150 lbs.) – 6th place

Luke Sincock, junior (165 lbs.) – 6th place

Lincoln Woods, senior (138 lbs.) – 8th place

The Islanders' success is a testament to the dedication of the athletes, coaches, and support staff. The team is led by Head Coach David Woo, with assistant coaches Colton Knebel and Chris Pothoven, along with volunteer coaches Zack Koeller, Scott Cahoon, Todd Helman, and Joel Mezistrano.