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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Big Nine Looks Semi-Tough Wenatchee Takes Early Lead

Prep wrestling

The Big Nine Conference sent 30 wrestlers to the semifinal round, while the Greater Spokane League qualified 26 after the first day of the Region 4 AAA wrestling tournament Friday at Central Valley.

Wenatchee took the first-day team lead with 42 points, followed by Rogers and Moses Lake, each with 39.

Only one No. 1 seed failed to make it to the semifinals. Eisenhower’s 178-pound Russ Rufer toppled Ferris’ Ty Williams with an 8-3 decision.

The Big Nine swept all four semifinal spots in the 178-pound class and advanced three in the 158-, 190- and 215-pound classes. The GSL qualified three wrestlers in the 108-, 135- and 275-pound divisions.

The semifinals are scheduled for 11 a.m., the consolation semis at 1:30 p.m., the consolation finals at 4:30 and the championships at 6.

Both Rogers and Wenatchee send seven wrestlers into the semis.

Pirates who advanced are: Ben Houk (108), Daryl Groom (122), Nick Fuller (135), Daryn Steeneck (141), Kris Clarke (148), Ryan Anstrom (158) and Marshall Sims (275).

Class AA

Tournament host East Valley of Spokane amassed 47 points to set the pace after the first day of the AA Region 4 tourney at Selah. Ellensburg (38) and Sunnyside (31.5) round out the top three teams.

The Knights’ 115-pound Kevin Woolf, along with Justin Walker (122), Joe Adamson (129), Quinton Chapman (135), Brad Crockett (141), Christopher Duncan (168), Rob Gillespie (178) and Tristan Beeman (190), all advanced to the semifinal round.

The semifinal round begins today at 11 a.m. Championship matches start at 6:45 p.m.

Classes A/B

As expected, Lakeside dominated the mats at the Region 4 A/B tournament at Mead High School.

The Eagles have a commanding 59-38 lead over second-place Quincy. Tonasket (27.5) is third.

Lakeside advanced 10 of 14 wrestlers into the semifinals. They are: Jason Belyea (108), Trevor Blackwell (115), Tim Weisser (122), Adam Christen (129), Jason Christen (135), Nate Bohl (141), Aaron Laughery (148), Sean Wheeler (158) and Randy Brownell (215).

The semifinal matches begin today at noon.

Consolation finals start at 6 p.m., followed by the championships at 7:30.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo