LAKE STEVENS — It didn’t matter how they got it done, the end result was the same for both Brandon Blevins and Christian Mendoza: they are headed to state.

The two were part of six overall Tommies and two alternates that will represent Marysville-Pilchuck at Mat Classic XXIII.

Although Mendoza and Blevins wrestle the same weight (125 pounds), the similarities stop there.

“He’s really quick and goes for the shots and I’m more calm and try to react,” said Blevins, who finished runner-up while Mendoza was third in the tournament at Cavelero Mid High School Feb. 12, about their wrestling styles.

The two have been practicing against each other all season and will try to take on the other’s strategy.

“It’s hard to switch styles,” said Mendoza, a junior. “He’ll get aggressive sometimes and I’ll try to remain calm, but it just gets too hard.”

M-P coach Craig Iversen says those wrestling styles are indicative to their personalities away from the mat, and the two are all the better for it.

“You know, you’d think that having them in the room everyday would make things difficult, but they are great friends and they push each other,” he said.

In all, six Tommies punched their own ticket to the Tacoma Dome Feb. 18, with two alternates also qualifying.

“We’re pretty happy with the output,” said Iversen. “There are always a few more guys you’d like to sneak in, but this is a good number for us.”

M-P’s depth was on display at the regional, as Skyler Hatch and Thomas Hoeper — both at 215 pounds — made state.

“That’s pretty neat,” said Iversen. “You don’t usually get something like that, but all those kids worked really hard to get here.”

Also earning a trip to state was Demitri Robinson, who earned second place in the 145-pound bracket and Marcus Haughian, who earned third place in the 189-pound bracket.

The top four wrestlers from each weight class earned a state bid. M-P’s two alternates are Chris Herbert at 171 pounds and Zach Schumann at 285 pounds.

Lakewood sends

two to state

The Cougars came away with two wrestlers making the trip to the Tacoma Dome for Mat Classic XXIII.

Senior 285-pounder Alex Wilson will face Steilacoom’s Jack Newhouse at 1:28 p.m. Feb. 18.

Also heading to Tacoma is sophomore Allyson Lawton, who will face Highline’s Diana Prudente at 10:48 a.m. in a 125-pound match.