Bremerton wrestler Michaelson on the verge of Mat Classic history

By the time all the wrestling matches at Mat Classic XXXV are complete, Bremerton senior Lars Michaelson could stand alone among state champions from West Sound.

What's at stake for Michaelson at the state championship tournament, slated for Feb. 16-17 at the Tacoma Dome? The University of Stanford commit has the chance to become a three-time winner in Class 2A. He's currently the top-ranked grappler in the 190-pound weight class and will enter Saturday's regional tournament at White River High School with a career record of 115-4, including a 36-2 mark this season.

Michaelson will graduate as one of the area's most accomplished wrestlers in history, especially in state competition.

Two former West Sound wrestlers, North Kitsap's Jake Velarde and Kingston's Bobby Reece III, finished their careers with four state titles, while nine others were two-time state champions, including Lars' older brother, Thor, who is in his freshman year at Stanford. The rest were Central Kitsap's Preston Chadwick, South Kitsap's Brent Chriswell and Mitchell Neiner, Olympic's Ty Smith, Branden Yeik and Cody Yeik, North Kitsap's Sofian Hammou, and Bremerton's Lauren Richardson.

No one from West Sound has ever reached the top of the podium exactly three times.

“I think three is a really great accomplishment," Lars Michaelson said. "Obviously four sounds much better.”

Unfortunately for Michaelson, the COVID-19 pandemic scratched the state tournament in 2021, his freshman year with the Knights. Otherwise, he might be in position to join Velarde and Reece in the four-title club.

That's not a major regret for Michaelson, who comes from a successful wrestling family. There's older sister Haley, a four-time state-placer who is finishing her studies at the University of Washington. There's older brother, Thor, who is in his freshman year at Stanford. The two-time high school champ was a three-time state finalist and twice-crowned Pan-American champion. There's eighth-grader Magnus, an accomplished club wrestler who's bound to be an impact performer for the Knights starting next winter.

Leading the Michaelson clan is father, Ty, a former high school/collegiate wrestler who teaches in Bremerton School District, serves as head wrestling coach at the high school and is the director of the Northwest Washington Wrestling Club. Mother Beth is a frequent and faithful volunteer at all sorts of her kids' sporting events.

Whether it be wrestling or academics or just life in general, the Michaelsons aren't afraid to aim high.

“We tend to go after things that are more challenging," Lars Michaelson said. "I don’t really feel a sense of pride if I get something that wasn’t hard. We tend to challenge ourselves.”

Sports has been always been part of the equation for Lars and his family. He recalled countless days dedicated to wrestling tournaments. Rare weekends off either involved physical training or trips to Bremerton Memorial Stadium for "Sports Sunday" football games: Ty Michaelson acting as quarterback and his kids taking turns playing wide receiver and defensive back.

“It’s highly competitive," said Lars Michaelson, who earned All-Olympic League 2A honors as a defensive lineman in the fall for Bremerton's football team, which qualified for state.

Growing up with Thor as a natural wrestling partner aided Lars' ascendence in the sport, but they are not carbon-copies of each other.

"Thor wrestled a more straight-on hand-fighting battle (style), whereas Lars like to create angles," Ty Michaelson said. "They both have tremendous positioning on their feet."

Lars' talents aren't confined to the wrestling mat. The self-described "nerd" of his family plays piano and sings in the choir at school. Despite being most known for his wrestling exploits, Lars hopes folks see past his singlet and headgear.

“I want people to see me as a gentleman, a hard worker," he said.

With his college career not far off, Lars Michaelson plans to follow in his father's footsteps when his wrestling days are done. He has a specific plan for adulthood, desiring a job that doesn't require sitting behind a desk and offers him ample time to spend with family.

“I personally want to grow up and want to be a dad and have kids, be a great dad, go take my kids to sporting events," Lars said. "That’s my No. 1 goal."

That answer didn't surprise Ty Michaelson in the least: "That's my boy!"

This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Bremerton wrestler Michaelson on the verge of Mat Classic history