Don’t Dismiss Cv, Gonzaga Prep
While neither Central Valley nor Gonzaga Prep are necessarily favored to win a state wrestling championship, don’t sell them short.
The two Greater Spokane League schools will be among the challengers during Friday and Saturday’s 4A state tournament at Mat Classic X. “Our top kids will represent our region well,” said G-Prep coach Phil McLean. “As far as teams, I think it’s a long shot because of their numbers.”
Defending champion Evergreen-Vancouver returns four state placers among 10 tourney wrestlers, including two-time champion Ben VomBauer.
The Bullpups have three state placers of their own among seven entrants. Last year’s runner-up Chris Montgomery is in the same 115-pound weight class as VomBauer, which is the tournament’s toughest. It includes two defending champions and a wrestler who took VomBauer to overtime in regionals.
Prep’s Sean Malone, second in regionals, is in the same weight class as Evergreen placer Kevin Kirkman. Two-time placer Nick Bliss is in the same class as Evergreen fourth-placer Brad Alberts.
CV, the Region IV champion, returns two multiple state placers among its seven athletes, including last year’s runner-up Shane Cunanan, who is in the same 129-pound weight class as returning Evergreen third-placer Eddie Dahlen.
So the East Side, traditionally strong statewide, has a chance to gang up on the defending champions and Tahoma, which has 11 state entrants.
“Definitely, CV, Gonzaga and Wenatchee all have an outside shot,” said McLean. “Strange things happen, good and bad. It depends upon who stays solid and who stumbles.”
Knights won’t wave white flag
After last weekend’s Region IV tournament, it appears that East Valley’s defending AA champions are a big underdog to Moses Lake in the 3A tournament.
“Moses Lake is looking good,” admitted EV coach Craig Hanson.
The Chiefs, last year’s 3A runners-up, advanced 12 wrestlers to state compared to EV’s eight.
But Hanson isn’t surrendering.
“Technically, six guys produced our 97 points last year,” said Hanson. “It’s the same crew only better and more mature. There’s no reason we can’t score 120 points like I predicted last year. When you start getting into those numbers you’re really in the running.”
The Knights return state finalists in 129-pound Justin Walker and 141-pound Brad Crockett, and have one other placer, 122-pound Kevin Woolf who was fourth.
The supporting cast includes state veteran sophomore John Sommer, three fourth-year varsity athletes and one third-year athlete.
Lakeside out to prove ranking
The Lakeside Eagles, who have 16 state qualifiers to the new 2A tournament, must guard against complacency.
“We must avoid becoming too lackadaisical” said Lakeside coach Scott Jones following his team’s district rout. “We have to improve or we’re not champions.”
The Eagles had 14 district finalists in 13 weight classes and won 12 titles. Last year’s A-B champ sends eight state veterans, six of them placers, back to Tacoma.
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo
MEMO: Two sidebars appeared with the story: 1. All-league wrestling teams Yr. Wt. School Greater Spokane League Tommy Owen Fr. 101 University Ben Houk Jr. 108 Rogers Chris Montgomery Sr. 115 G-Prep Ryan Ellis Sr. 122 Ferris Shane Cunanan Sr. 129 CV Conor Jordan Jr. 135 University Keith Riddle Sr. 141 Mead Brandon Brown Sr. 148 CV Nick Bliss Sr. 158 G-Prep Travis Pascoe So. 168 G-Prep Kyle Gleason Jr. 178 G-Prep David Sandberg Sr. 190 NC Brandon Bouge Sr. 215 CV Marshall Sims Jr. 275 Rogers
Frontier League John Sommer So. 101 East Valley Brad Perry So. 108 East Valley Todd Perry Fr. 115 East Valley Kevin Woolf Sr. 122 East Valley Justin Walker Sr. 129 East Valley Jay Campbell Sr. 135 East Valley Brad Crockett Sr. 141 East Valley Justin Demke Jr. 148 West Valley Mike Manuel Sr. 158 East Valley Rusty Ruchert Sr. 168 East Valley Tyson Thivierge Sr. 178 Clarkston Matt Jolley Jr. 190 East Valley Seth Morris Sr. 215 Cheney Aaron Boyd Sr. 275 Clarkston
Great Northern League Robert Paintner So. 101 Lakeside Justin Belyea Fr. 108 Lakeside Jason Belyea Sr. 115 Lakeside Joben Nuesse Jr. 122 Riverside Anthony Layton Sr. 129 Lakeside Adam Christen Jr. 135 Lakeside Jason Christen Sr. 141 Lakeside Aaron Laughery Sr. 148 Lakeside Justin Divis Jr. 158 Colville Matt Westenfelder Jr. 168 Lakeside Sean Wheeler Sr. 178 Lakeside Jason Cummings Jr. 190 Lakeside Matt Wilson Sr. 215 Lakeside Chad Charbonneau So. 275 Lakeside
2. Mat Classic X Day and site: Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m., Tacoma Dome in Tacoma.
4A Last year’s finish: 1, Evergreen (Vancouver). 2, Moses Lake. 3, Wenatchee. 4, University. Team favorites: Evergreen, Tahoma, Central Valley, Wenatchee, Gonzaga Prep. Local watch: Chris Montgomery, Gonzaga Prep, 115, sr., two-time state placer, second last year; Mark Denholm, Mead, 115, jr., third in state last year; John Reese, CV, 122, sr., two-time state placer; Shane Cunanan, CV, 129, sr., three-time state placer, second last year; Nick Bliss, Gonzaga Prep, 158, sr., two-time state placer; Travis Pascoe, Gonzaga, 168, soph., second in Idaho last year; David Sandberg, NC, 190, sr., two-time state placer, third last year. Returning finalists: Eric Schwartz, Southridge A-B state champion, 101; Ben VomBauer, Evergreen state champion, 115; J.P. Marinacci, Tahoma AA state champion, 115; Montgomery, 115; Cunanan, 129; Luke Crockett, Battle Ground, 148; Ravil Muhamediev, Sehome, 135; Zhon Kuraspediani, Tahoma AA state champion, 141; Tom Heier, Redmond state champion, 148; John Morgan, Kelso state champion, 178;
3A Last year’s finish: 1, East Valley. 2, Eastmont. 3, Monroe. 4, Fife. Team favorites: Moses Lake, East Valley, Lake Stevens. Local watch: Kevin Woolf, EV, 122, sr. three-time state qualifier, fourth last year; Justin Walker, EV, 129, sr., three-time state qualifier, second last year; Brad Crockett, EV, 141, sr., second last year; Tyson Thivierge, Clarkston, sr., 178, two-time state placer. John Sommer, EV, 101, soph., regional champion, two-time state qualifier. Returning finalists: Andy Soliman, Prosser state champion 129; Walker, 129; Peter Zamora, Moses Lake state champion, 135; Coyte Cooper, Anacortes state champion, 141; Crockett, 141; Brent Burnett, WV-Yakima, 158; Mike Bundy, Lake Stevens state champion, 168; Leonard Wilson, W.F. West state champion, 178; Kyle Siverts, Newport-Bellevue, 190; Chris Babka, W.F. West state champion, 215; Chris Shipp, Bainbridge, 275.
2A Last year’s finish: 1, Lakeside. 2, Connell. 3, Quincy. 4, Liberty Bell Team favorites: Lakeside, Toppenish, Mt. Baker, Hoquiam. Local watch: Matt Westenfelder, Lakeside, 129, jr., three-time state placer, third last year; Jesse Moroni, Medical Lake, 122, sr., four-time state qualifier, two-time placer; Anthony Layton, Lakeside, 129, sr., four-time state qualifier, two-time placer; Aaron Laughery, Lakeside, 148, sr., third-year state qualifier, two-time placer; Tim Weisser, Lakeside, 122, jr., fourth in state last year; Jason Christen, Lakeside, 141, sr., fourth in state; Ben Steele, Medical Lake, 135 jr., fifth in state; Sean Wheeler, Lakeside, 178, sr., seventh in state; Jason Belyea, Lakeside, 115, sr., two-time state qualifier; Joben Nuesse, Riverside, 122, jr., two-time state qualifier; Returning finalists: Josh Graeber, Tenino, 129; Ben Barkley, Orting state champion, 148; Travis Knutson, Kiona-Benton, 158; Joshu Gonzalez, Othello, 190; Ryan McReynolds, Forks, 190; Brian Downing, Castle Rock, 215.
A-B Last year’s finish: Changed classification. Team favorites: Tonasket, Liberty Bell, Warden, Zillah Local watch: Luke Winona, ACH, 215, sr., third in state last year; regional champions Kelly Jones, Colfax, 148, sr. and Brandon Marchand, Freeman, 190, soph; Returning finalists: Marc Eylar, Okanogan, 108; Matt Tuller, Liberty Bell, 122; K.C. Gere, Zillah, 135. Notable: The state tournament has added another classification and will have matches going on 24 different mats throughout the early competition. … … There are two returning champions among three 115-pound 4A finalists. … The eastern Region IV of the 3A tournament alone includes six finalists and two returning state champions. … Except for Almira-Coulee/Hartline’s third-place finisher Luke Winona, local A-B wrestlers in the reorganized state tournament are traveling new ground. Winona is the only one of 33 state qualifiers to have been at Mat Classic. Among them were three regional champions and seven other finalists.
Frontier League John Sommer So. 101 East Valley Brad Perry So. 108 East Valley Todd Perry Fr. 115 East Valley Kevin Woolf Sr. 122 East Valley Justin Walker Sr. 129 East Valley Jay Campbell Sr. 135 East Valley Brad Crockett Sr. 141 East Valley Justin Demke Jr. 148 West Valley Mike Manuel Sr. 158 East Valley Rusty Ruchert Sr. 168 East Valley Tyson Thivierge Sr. 178 Clarkston Matt Jolley Jr. 190 East Valley Seth Morris Sr. 215 Cheney Aaron Boyd Sr. 275 Clarkston
Great Northern League Robert Paintner So. 101 Lakeside Justin Belyea Fr. 108 Lakeside Jason Belyea Sr. 115 Lakeside Joben Nuesse Jr. 122 Riverside Anthony Layton Sr. 129 Lakeside Adam Christen Jr. 135 Lakeside Jason Christen Sr. 141 Lakeside Aaron Laughery Sr. 148 Lakeside Justin Divis Jr. 158 Colville Matt Westenfelder Jr. 168 Lakeside Sean Wheeler Sr. 178 Lakeside Jason Cummings Jr. 190 Lakeside Matt Wilson Sr. 215 Lakeside Chad Charbonneau So. 275 Lakeside
2. Mat Classic X Day and site: Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m., Tacoma Dome in Tacoma.
4A Last year’s finish: 1, Evergreen (Vancouver). 2, Moses Lake. 3, Wenatchee. 4, University. Team favorites: Evergreen, Tahoma, Central Valley, Wenatchee, Gonzaga Prep. Local watch: Chris Montgomery, Gonzaga Prep, 115, sr., two-time state placer, second last year; Mark Denholm, Mead, 115, jr., third in state last year; John Reese, CV, 122, sr., two-time state placer; Shane Cunanan, CV, 129, sr., three-time state placer, second last year; Nick Bliss, Gonzaga Prep, 158, sr., two-time state placer; Travis Pascoe, Gonzaga, 168, soph., second in Idaho last year; David Sandberg, NC, 190, sr., two-time state placer, third last year. Returning finalists: Eric Schwartz, Southridge A-B state champion, 101; Ben VomBauer, Evergreen state champion, 115; J.P. Marinacci, Tahoma AA state champion, 115; Montgomery, 115; Cunanan, 129; Luke Crockett, Battle Ground, 148; Ravil Muhamediev, Sehome, 135; Zhon Kuraspediani, Tahoma AA state champion, 141; Tom Heier, Redmond state champion, 148; John Morgan, Kelso state champion, 178;
3A Last year’s finish: 1, East Valley. 2, Eastmont. 3, Monroe. 4, Fife. Team favorites: Moses Lake, East Valley, Lake Stevens. Local watch: Kevin Woolf, EV, 122, sr. three-time state qualifier, fourth last year; Justin Walker, EV, 129, sr., three-time state qualifier, second last year; Brad Crockett, EV, 141, sr., second last year; Tyson Thivierge, Clarkston, sr., 178, two-time state placer. John Sommer, EV, 101, soph., regional champion, two-time state qualifier. Returning finalists: Andy Soliman, Prosser state champion 129; Walker, 129; Peter Zamora, Moses Lake state champion, 135; Coyte Cooper, Anacortes state champion, 141; Crockett, 141; Brent Burnett, WV-Yakima, 158; Mike Bundy, Lake Stevens state champion, 168; Leonard Wilson, W.F. West state champion, 178; Kyle Siverts, Newport-Bellevue, 190; Chris Babka, W.F. West state champion, 215; Chris Shipp, Bainbridge, 275.
2A Last year’s finish: 1, Lakeside. 2, Connell. 3, Quincy. 4, Liberty Bell Team favorites: Lakeside, Toppenish, Mt. Baker, Hoquiam. Local watch: Matt Westenfelder, Lakeside, 129, jr., three-time state placer, third last year; Jesse Moroni, Medical Lake, 122, sr., four-time state qualifier, two-time placer; Anthony Layton, Lakeside, 129, sr., four-time state qualifier, two-time placer; Aaron Laughery, Lakeside, 148, sr., third-year state qualifier, two-time placer; Tim Weisser, Lakeside, 122, jr., fourth in state last year; Jason Christen, Lakeside, 141, sr., fourth in state; Ben Steele, Medical Lake, 135 jr., fifth in state; Sean Wheeler, Lakeside, 178, sr., seventh in state; Jason Belyea, Lakeside, 115, sr., two-time state qualifier; Joben Nuesse, Riverside, 122, jr., two-time state qualifier; Returning finalists: Josh Graeber, Tenino, 129; Ben Barkley, Orting state champion, 148; Travis Knutson, Kiona-Benton, 158; Joshu Gonzalez, Othello, 190; Ryan McReynolds, Forks, 190; Brian Downing, Castle Rock, 215.
A-B Last year’s finish: Changed classification. Team favorites: Tonasket, Liberty Bell, Warden, Zillah Local watch: Luke Winona, ACH, 215, sr., third in state last year; regional champions Kelly Jones, Colfax, 148, sr. and Brandon Marchand, Freeman, 190, soph; Returning finalists: Marc Eylar, Okanogan, 108; Matt Tuller, Liberty Bell, 122; K.C. Gere, Zillah, 135. Notable: The state tournament has added another classification and will have matches going on 24 different mats throughout the early competition. … … There are two returning champions among three 115-pound 4A finalists. … The eastern Region IV of the 3A tournament alone includes six finalists and two returning state champions. … Except for Almira-Coulee/Hartline’s third-place finisher Luke Winona, local A-B wrestlers in the reorganized state tournament are traveling new ground. Winona is the only one of 33 state qualifiers to have been at Mat Classic. Among them were three regional champions and seven other finalists.