EV 215-Pounder Wise Beyond His Years

State AA wrestling

Until last year, East Valley’s Ben Wise had not wrestled. Today he is one of four State AA semifinalists from the Frontier League.

Wise, a 215-pounder, twice won convincingly in just his second year with the sport. “He just has a lot of natural ability,” said Knights assistant coach Bill Close. “I don’t know why it took him so long to discover it, but I’m glad he did.”

Wise defeated Chris Williams of Arlington 10-0 and pinned Dave Rasmussen of Eatonville to advance to today’s round of four unbeatens per weight class, beginning at 11 a.m.

Others to prevail Friday were Clarkston 129-pounder Jeremiah Divis, Riverside 158-pounder Dan Kruger and Clarkston 178-pounder Cory Thivierge. Four other first-round winners, including returning state third-placer Quinn Sharpe of West Valley, lost in the quarterfinal round.

Despite his relative inexperience in the sport, Wise wasn’t particularly surprised by his success. Last year, he had wrestled as a 230-pound heavyweight before acceding to his coaches’ wishes to drop to the inaugural 215-pound weight class.

“I can’t tell if the weight is strong. It’s the first year,” he said. “I don’t know who everyone around the state is.”

Divis said he learned from tourney failings. “I was 23-1 as a sophomore, but underestimated myself,” he said. I don’t get psyched out anymore.”

The senior won twice by decision to assure his first state medal.

Kruger went unplaced in the State A-B Tournament a year ago. The Riverside senior has earned a medal as a AA wrestler. “I didn’t know what to expect,” he said. “I think the league was easier, but district and regional seemed to be harder.”

Friday in Tacoma, he won by pin and an 8-6 decision.

Clarkston’s Thivierge, lead man on the Bantams’ revitalized program, won by technical fall and 5-1.

, DataTimes