Mat Classic XXXV notes: Undefeated Miller makes history, Lincoln's Zeta Lee wins third title

Feb. 17—143-0: Cody Miller just made history.

Sumner’s untouchable senior wrestler is a three-time state champion at the WIAA’s Mat Classic. He dominated Olympia’s Landon Porter in Saturday’s 4A 157 final. And now, he is undefeated forever — one of two players in state history to complete their high-school careers unscathed.

Teardrops fell down Miller’s face, unlike his first pair of state titles. This was different. His gray, high-top sneakers wound up in the hands of his coach, Matt Harshman, who said they will soon be displayed in a Sumner High School trophy case.

He left little doubt in his final high-school bout. Miller blanked Porter, a childhood friend and longtime opponent, 14-0, before his third-period pin won the bracket. He was a lightning bolt from the first whistle, too quick to pin and too determined to lose.

Miller stood center-mat, and with hands raised, when most of the thousands inside the Tacoma Dome rose to congratulate and celebrate history. WIAA public address announcers announced the senior’s mind-boggling, 143-0 feat, and Harshman presented Miller with an honorary plaque, calling the senior’s dominance “historic.”

“I’ve been working so hard for this, and to finally get it done, it was huge,” Miller said. “All of my coaches, all of my friends and family are here. It was big.”

He took down Inglemoor’s Christopher Najjarzadeh in the tournament’s opening round via fall, and again by major decision over Glacier Peak’s Colin Edmonds in Friday’s 4A 157 quarterfinals. Miller defeated both opponents by fall in Saturday’s semifinal and championship bouts, over Chiawana’s Hunter Taylor and, finally, Porter.

“(Cody) just has a drive to be the best, all the time,” Harshman said. “We have an annual pickleball tournament, and he is one of the most aggressive guys out there, because he wants to win at everything. That’s what separates him from others.”

Miller does not plan to wrestle in college, but he won’t completely rule out the possibility.

“I think this is going to be it. It’s all up in the air,” Miller said.

Is the door open even remotely for a college career?

“It’s a little open,” he laughed. “It’s peeking open. It’s peeking.”

LINCOLN WRESTLING: ‘WE WANT TO BUILD A DYNASTY HERE’

Zeta Lee stormed back in the final period to claim the 3A/4A Girls 115 state championship at Saturday’s Mat Classic XXXV — and immediately sprinted into the arms of her younger brother, Tavarre.

Siblings and teammates at Lincoln High School, the brother-sister duo embraced underneath the Tacoma Dome as Zeta, exhausted, stumbled into her brother’s arms. But she was, officially, a state champion.

Lee trailed, 2-1, after the opening period of the 115 girls championship, but an escape and takedown of Moses Lake’s Reese Prescott in the second period lifted her atop the podium.

And within minutes, it was her brother’s turn to wrestle for a 3A 132 championship. Tavarre fell in a full-time battle to Mead’s Joshua Neiwert via decision (12-6) yet, in his sophomore year, had secured runner-up honors and improved a seventh-place finish in 2023.

“It’s the best experience I could ever ask for,” Zeta told The News Tribune. “He’s my twin.”

They aren’t literal twins — Zeta is a senior and now-three-time champion — and Tavarre is a sophomore. But they lead Lincoln’s wrestling room together.

“Every day, they push each other,” Lincoln coach Willie Ross said. “They’re great to have in our room. They push pace in our room. Zeta pushes our girls to the next level. Tavarre, he pushes the boys. It’s a special bond, those two together.”

Joined by freshman and new 126-pound champion William Ross, the Abes are ready to start a wrestling dynasty at Lincoln. This is only the start for Ross’ team, he told The News Tribune, also William’s father.

“He’s living the dream,” Ross described his son. “He went to the center of the mats before the tournament, walked in a big circle… took it all in, and said, ‘this is what we worked for.'”

William, a freshman in his first Mat Classic, flew through the 3A 126 bracket and claimed his first title in a narrow, 4-3 decision over University’s Taylor Daines.

“We’re just here to wrestle and have a great time, put on a show,” Ross said. “We’re not looking for the titles, we’re looking to be a great team. We’re building good camaraderie. … We want to build a dynasty here. That’s what it’s about. Our kids are all young.

“All monsters pushing each other.”

This story was originally published February 17, 2024, 10:06 PM.

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