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Gsl’s Chances At State Wrestling Suffer Setbacks

By Mike Vlahovich mikev@spokesman.com(509) 927-2180

Wrestling coaches worried that state-worthy Eastern Washington competitors would beat up on each other during district and regional competition.

They didn’t expect to take a beating in the classroom, too.

But a pair of returning state placers, Joe Thiefault from Central Valley and Lyle Beerbohm from Mead, have been declared academically ineligible and have had their seasons curtailed before this weekend’s District 8 AAA Tournament at Mead.

“That’s a real body blow to the league’s state chances,” said Mead coach Cash Stone. “We just have to suck up our guts and go with the guys we put out on the mat.”

Both wrestlers were considered state title contenders. Thiefault’s loss was the latest blow to the Bears, who finished second at state last year and were a favorite this season.

CV coaches figure they had already lost as many as 50 state points because of injuries.

“The craziest things that could have happened, happened to us,” said head coach Dale Ethridge.

Tyree Clowe, who placed at state last year, underwent season-ending shoulder surgery. Highly rated Loren Kitner has moved. State alternate Brad Smith was injured last week and is gone.

On a positive side, Wil Beck was cleared to wrestle after it was thought the 275-pounder had been sidelined by a back injury.

“At the beginning it looked like we had a powerhouse back,” said Ethridge. “We’re still going to be competitive when we get to the higher levels, but we don’t have the luxury of numbers.”

However, eight other state placers among two dozen returning regional veterans still make this weekend’s district formidable.

Coaches say the absences open competition among Gonzaga Prep, University and Mead for team honors.

District 7 AA competition Friday and Saturday in Pullman features seven returning district champs and a wealth of talent from East Valley.

The Knights have eight top-seeded wrestlers, another who should have been and one No. 2.

A few other hopefuls drew tough first matches.

District 7 A-B host Lakeside has five of six returning district champions and a couple other top-seeded wrestlers. Medical Lake has five top seeds.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: DISTRICT AT A GLANCE DISTRICT AAA: Friday, 4 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m. at Mead HS. Defending champion: Central Valley. Returning individual champs: Brian Lehrman, LC, 108; John Reese, CV, 115; Jon Rugan, Mead, 122; Andy Roberts, U-Hi, 129; Nick Bliss, GP, 148; David Sandberg, NC, 190. Top seeds: Mark Denholm, Mead, 101; Chris Montgomery, GP, 108; Osborn, 115; Cory Brannon, GP, 122; Roberts, U-Hi, 129; Ed Stretch, U-Hi, 135; Daryn Steeneck, Rogers, 141; Bliss, 148; Courtney Brown, CV, 158; Brian Thatcher, NC, 168; Ty Williams, Ferris, 178; Sandberg, 190; Brian Burrow, NC, 215; Joe Collier, Mead, 275. At stake: Four berths at each weight to Region IV AAA tournament the following weekend at Central Valley. DISTRICT AA: Friday, 4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. at Pullman HS. Defending champion: East Valley. Returning individual champs: Mike Reyes, Clarkston, 108; Gary Adamson, EV, 108; Quinn Sharpe, WV, 122; Gabe Schaefer, Cheney, 135; Justin Divis, Colville, 141; Tyson Thivierge, Clarkston, 178; Josh Kelp, WV, 190. Top seeds: John Sommer, EV, 101; John Slater, Colville, 108; Kevin Woolf, EV, 115; Justin Walker, EV, 122; Joe Adamson, EV, 129; Quinton Chapman, EV, 135; Brad Crockett, EV, 141; Divis, 148; Rusty Ruchert, EV, 158; Chris Duncan, EV, 168; Thivierge, 178; Will Johnson, Clarkston, 190; Tom Jud, Cheney, 215; Nick Easter, Colville, 275. At stake: Three berths at each weight to Region IV AA tournament the following weekend in Selah. DISTRICT A-B: Saturday, 9:30 a.m. at Lakeside HS, Nine Mile Falls. Defending champion: Lakeside. Returning individual champs: Jason Belyea, Lakeside, 108; Trevor Blackwell, Lakeside, 115; Anthony Layton, Lakeside, 129; Nate Bohl, Lakeside, 141; Aaron Laughery, Lakeside, 148; Ben Eggleston, Chewelah, 215. Top seeds: Chris Bennett, Newport, and Jason Marburger, Liberty, 101; Jesse Moroni, ML, and Ben Burbank, Reardan, 108; Blackwell and Jason Ogle, ACH, 115; Ben Steele, ML, and Pat Conley, Liberty, 122; Layton and Tyson Cole, Reardan, 129; Jason Christen, Lakeside, and Jon Brown, Springdale, 135; Bohl and Brady Moore, Ritzville, 141; Jeb Race, Deer Park, and Jason Warriner, Ritzville, 148; Jeff Racicot, ML, and Jake Winona, ACH, 158; Matt Jolley, Lakeside, and Ed Seed, ACH, 168; Jerred Berger, DP, and Jasent Stricker, Spring 178; Anthony Bianchi, ML, and Luke Winona, ACH, 190; Eggleston and Matt Schneider, Davenport, 215; Oly Mahaffey, ML, and Drew McClain, Ritzville, 275. At stake: Four berths at each weight to Region IV A-B tournament the following weekend in Chelan.

This sidebar appeared with the story: DISTRICT AT A GLANCE DISTRICT AAA: Friday, 4 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m. at Mead HS. Defending champion: Central Valley. Returning individual champs: Brian Lehrman, LC, 108; John Reese, CV, 115; Jon Rugan, Mead, 122; Andy Roberts, U-Hi, 129; Nick Bliss, GP, 148; David Sandberg, NC, 190. Top seeds: Mark Denholm, Mead, 101; Chris Montgomery, GP, 108; Osborn, 115; Cory Brannon, GP, 122; Roberts, U-Hi, 129; Ed Stretch, U-Hi, 135; Daryn Steeneck, Rogers, 141; Bliss, 148; Courtney Brown, CV, 158; Brian Thatcher, NC, 168; Ty Williams, Ferris, 178; Sandberg, 190; Brian Burrow, NC, 215; Joe Collier, Mead, 275. At stake: Four berths at each weight to Region IV AAA tournament the following weekend at Central Valley. DISTRICT AA: Friday, 4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. at Pullman HS. Defending champion: East Valley. Returning individual champs: Mike Reyes, Clarkston, 108; Gary Adamson, EV, 108; Quinn Sharpe, WV, 122; Gabe Schaefer, Cheney, 135; Justin Divis, Colville, 141; Tyson Thivierge, Clarkston, 178; Josh Kelp, WV, 190. Top seeds: John Sommer, EV, 101; John Slater, Colville, 108; Kevin Woolf, EV, 115; Justin Walker, EV, 122; Joe Adamson, EV, 129; Quinton Chapman, EV, 135; Brad Crockett, EV, 141; Divis, 148; Rusty Ruchert, EV, 158; Chris Duncan, EV, 168; Thivierge, 178; Will Johnson, Clarkston, 190; Tom Jud, Cheney, 215; Nick Easter, Colville, 275. At stake: Three berths at each weight to Region IV AA tournament the following weekend in Selah. DISTRICT A-B: Saturday, 9:30 a.m. at Lakeside HS, Nine Mile Falls. Defending champion: Lakeside. Returning individual champs: Jason Belyea, Lakeside, 108; Trevor Blackwell, Lakeside, 115; Anthony Layton, Lakeside, 129; Nate Bohl, Lakeside, 141; Aaron Laughery, Lakeside, 148; Ben Eggleston, Chewelah, 215. Top seeds: Chris Bennett, Newport, and Jason Marburger, Liberty, 101; Jesse Moroni, ML, and Ben Burbank, Reardan, 108; Blackwell and Jason Ogle, ACH, 115; Ben Steele, ML, and Pat Conley, Liberty, 122; Layton and Tyson Cole, Reardan, 129; Jason Christen, Lakeside, and Jon Brown, Springdale, 135; Bohl and Brady Moore, Ritzville, 141; Jeb Race, Deer Park, and Jason Warriner, Ritzville, 148; Jeff Racicot, ML, and Jake Winona, ACH, 158; Matt Jolley, Lakeside, and Ed Seed, ACH, 168; Jerred Berger, DP, and Jasent Stricker, Spring 178; Anthony Bianchi, ML, and Luke Winona, ACH, 190; Eggleston and Matt Schneider, Davenport, 215; Oly Mahaffey, ML, and Drew McClain, Ritzville, 275. At stake: Four berths at each weight to Region IV A-B tournament the following weekend in Chelan.