A level headed demeanor has served Eastside Catholic Crusaders senior Matt Iwicki well throughout his high school wrestling career.

The even-keeled Iwicki attained his ultimate goal, registering a convincing 5-1 victory against Bonney Lake’s Avery Meyer in the Class 3A 145-pound championship match at the Mat Classic Class 3A state tournament on Feb. 21 at the Tacoma Dome. Iwicki took a 2-0 lead with 52 seconds left in the first round and built a commanding 5-0 lead at the conclusion of the second round. The outcome was never in doubt, which is exactly the way Iwicki likes it.

“I usually try to wrestle conservatively and just be in control and not scare my coaches in any way,” Iwicki said with a smile. “I really wanted to solidify the win and not let anything bad happen.”

Iwicki, who also won a state championship in the 120-pound division as a sophomore, was ecstatic to win his second state title in four years.

“Being a two-time champion was the main part. It’s never really happened at my school before. It’s been a great ride the whole way,” Iwicki said. “I’m glad I was able to solidify it with a win at the end. That is the most rewarding part.”

Eastside Catholic head coach Dennis Reddinger said Iwicki is a super kid who was great to work with over the past four years.

“Matt is intelligent, coachable, is such a great sportsman and has great character. It makes it easy to work with wrestlers like that because he works so hard. He sets an example for the other kids in the mat room of what you can obtain and what you can be if you really work at it and put your heart into it,” Reddinger said.

Reddinger noted that Iwicki knew what he had to do this year.

“He set his goals on the championship and that was it,” Reddinger said. “His goal was to be undefeated and not give up any points all season long. He did give up a few points and he gave up one point (in the finals) out there, but he realized his goal of winning the championship. He gets to go out a winner.”

Skyline Spartans senior 120-pound wrestler Nathan Swanson captured third place in the Class 4A tournament. Swanson held on for a 3-2 victory against Graham-Kapowsin freshman Chad Simonson in the third place/fourth place match. Swanson took a 3-2 lead with 47 seconds left in the third round. Swanson prevented Simonson from tying the match with an escape in the final six seconds of the match.

“I knew it was the last seconds of my wrestling career so I just held on tight,” Swanson said. “This just feels absolutely amazing. It’s the best feeling I have ever had. I have been working toward this for the past three years.”

Eastside Catholic’s Alex Neale captured seventh place in the 285-pound weight class.

Shaun Scott: 425-453-5045; sscott@bellevuereporter.com