Valley Wrestlers Earn Bonus Time

Valley high schools met or exceeded expectations at last weekend’s district wrestling tournaments.

University, the Greater Spokane League champion, won the AAA tournament. Central Valley was a surprising third.

West Valley, which finished second in the Frontier League, beat East Valley for the district AA title.

Whatever happens from now on, Valley coaches say, is a bonus. This weekend, GSL teams wrestle against the Big Nine in the Region IV tournament at Central Valley. The top four finishers in each weight class qualify for state.

First-time district champion U-Hi suffered a blow prior to district when it lost defending state champion Andy Roberts because of a hairline fracture to his thumb. The Titans had already lost Jeff Schmedding to injury and a couple others weren’t at full strength in the meet.

“I don’t care what happens from this point on,” said Titan coach Don Owen. “We’ve been hit with the worst luck and still won league and district. I’m proud of these kids.”

The Titans have a meet-high 10 wrestlers competing in this week’s regional tournament. The surprising third-place district finishing Bears qualified nine.

After placing second to East Valley during the Frontier League’s regular season, West Valley beat the Knights for its first district championship in 15 years. Each sends nine wrestlers to regionals.

“I expected to win but didn’t expect to get nine kids through,” said Eagle coach Bill Bauman.

“My focus all year was to peak at district and see how many we could get to regionals. From that point on it’s gravy.”

Titans and Bears do their part

University and CV each had five finalists and half of those are district champions.

“It was a great weekend,” said Owen, “for us to take 30 points out of the lineup (because of injuries). The kids sucked it up, won almost every close match and came from behind in many instances.”

Winning district championships were seniors Dusty Roberts (148), Scott Garcia (141) and freshman Jared Osborn (101).

Josh Knowles (115) and unseeded Mike Clark (190) placed second.

“I was probably as pleased with Mike as anyone,” said Owen. “He beat the No. 3 and 2 seeds on the way and rode one kid a whole period to win.”

Third placers are Craig Bishop (101) and Matt Smith (168). In fourth are J.D. Peterson (135), Jeff Tucker (158) and Kit Moffitt (178).

“I don’t feel any of them are fodder for the cannon,” said Owen. “It’s a real tough weight at 101, the best I’ve seen, and we have two good kids. I’d be delighted if we get one to state and elated if we get two.”

Central Valley champions were juniors Rick Giampietri (158) and Bob Perkes.

Perkes pinned unseeded teammate Gunder Gregerson for the 275 title.

“At the beginning I thought we had the best two heavyweights,” said coach Dale Ethridge. “Gunder had two huge wins over the No. 2 and 3 seeds.”

Also reaching the finals and finishing second were Ben Asbury (178) and unseeded Shane Yackel (148).

Joining them in regionals are third-placer Joel Gehrett (135) and fourth place finishers John Reese (101), Shane Cunanan (108) and Justin Linerud (190).

“We took our hits as far as dual meets,” said Ethridge. “But I was pretty confident we could hold our own in district.”

Realistically, he said, the Bears are in tough brackets and must wrestle well in regional to advance.

Eagles, Knights not half bad

Combined, West Valley and East Valley earned nearly half the Frontier League’s regional entrants by claiming 18 of 39 available berths.

Top three finishers in each weight advanced to this weekend’s Region IV AA meet against the Mid-Valley League.

Eagle champions were Quinn Sharpe (101), Aaron Lehinger (115) and Jeremy Thornton (135).

“Quinn looked real sharp,” said Bauman of his 101-pound champion. “He pinned everybody but one which he won by technical fall.”

Included was a pin of teammate Ben Toombs in the finals. Also reaching the finals were Andy Imada (141) and Jason Miller (178).

In wrestle-backs, Miller wound up seeded third for regional purposes, but third-place Josh Ludwig moved up to second seed behind teammate Thornton.

Also third were Jeremy Bray (168) and Paul Pfeifer (190).

“I’m real excited,” said Bauman of the Eagle effort. “Anytime a new head coach comes in he’s got to figure out the team’s personality and the kids have to get used to the coach.”

EV actually led in team points until late in the tournament but lost three of four finals.

Troy Campbell (148) was EV’s lone champion.

Other regional qualifiers are second place finishers Casey Stookey (122), Matt Eastman (129) and Jason Moody (190) and third placers Gary and Joe Adamson at 101 and 115, Justin Walker (108), Jeremy Smith (122) and Rusty Ruchert (141).

Freeman advances three wrestlers

Three Freeman wrestlers will compete tomorrow in the Region IV A-B tournament in Chelan.

Dustin Reed finished second at 190 pounds. Finishing third were 101-pounder Mike Amend, after losing in overtime during the semifinals, and Beau Bradley after losing 4-3 in his semifinal match.