Dowell extends his hand to the referee following the Class B 152-pound state championship finals last year. Photo credit: Grant Clark.
When Adna High School’s Ashton Dowell edged Darrington’s Gage Burtenshaw to claim the 152-pound championship at the Class B state wrestling tournament, he forever etched his name in program history by becoming the first Pirate ever to capture a state title.
But when you ask Dowell about his massive accomplishment during his junior season, you’ll learn that winning the individual crown was just part of his ultimate goal.
Adna senior Ashton Dowell is looking to win his second straight state wrestling championship this season. He became the Pirates first ever state champion last year. Photo credit: Grant Clark.
The program may not have to wait as long for its second state championship. Adna, despite having just seven athletes on its roster this year, features three of the top wrestlers in the B classification: Dowell, fellow senior Matthew Slape and junior Lucas Ashley.
Never was that more on display than at last year’s Mat Classic.
In addition to securing a state individual title, Dowell’s victory also gave Adna the third-place team trophy – the program’s highest finish ever.
Dowell (left) watches a match during the Sgt. Norton Memorial Tournament at Rainier High School. Dowell would finish first in his weight class at the tournament. Photo credit: Grant Clark.
Dowell, who also finished third in state as a sophomore, now looks to become the Pirate’s first-ever back-to-back state titlist.
An Associated Press honorable mention all-state tight end, Dowell helped the Pirates to a 12-1 record and state semifinal appearance in football this year, bulking up to 185 pounds during the season.
He has since settled into the 170-pound weight division, which is stacked this season in the B classification as it features a pair of returning state champions and several state placers.
Chewelah sophomore Kaden Krouse won the 1A 170-pound state championship in 2018. The Cougars have since been reclassified and now compete in the 2B ranks, which sets up a potential all-state champion finals this year between the two.
Dowell hugs head coach Craig Ferrier following his state championship win. Photo credit: Grant Clark.
According to Washingtonwrestlingreport.net, Krouse is the No. 1 ranked 170-pound wrestler in the B classifications and Dowell is ranked second – something that suits the Adna senior just fine.
Dowell already holds a win over one of the top wrestlers in his weight division this season after defeating Raymond’s Jack Jordan, who is No. 3 in the rankings, 5-0, in the finals of the Willapa Harbor Invitational on January 19.
Dowell and Jordan could square off again at the Region 1 regional championships at Adna High School on February 9.
Also appearing in the rankings is Slape, who is ranked third in the 160-pound weight division. The senior is a three-time state placer, having finished sixth as a junior, second as a sophomore and fourth as a freshman, and is one of the main reasons Dowell is a defending state champion.
Dowell and Slape will both get their chance to end their high school careers with a state title at this year’s Mat Classic. The annual state tournament will be held in the Tacoma Dome February 15-16.