Knights Pin Down Wrestling Title, Send Nine To Mat Classic
East Valley, bidding for a first-ever State AA team wrestling championship, met or exceeded expectations at last weekend’s regional tournament.
The Knights have advanced nine wrestlers to Mat Classic IX, which begins Friday in Tacoma.
In so doing, they won their first regional title since 1993, when the team scored 104 state points but finished second to Burlington Edison at state.
This year, as in ‘93, EV has qualified nine wrestlers to state. Four go as regional champions: Tristan Beeman at 190 pounds, Chris Duncan at 168, Brad Crockett at 141 and Quinton Chapman at 135.
Justin Walker also reached the finals, at 122 pounds.
Finishing third were Kevin Woolf at 115, Joe Adamson at 129 and Rob Gillespie at 178. Freshman John Sommer was fourth at 101.
The Knights’ other four entrants finished in the top six, with Rusty Ruchert at 158 and 101-pound Perry both alternates to state.
Ruchert beat teammate Mike Manuel for fifth and sixth. Jay Campbell, 135 pounds, was also sixth.
Other Frontier League teams added nine other state qualifiers, including third-time participant and two-time placer Quinn Sharpe of West Valley.
Titans carry GSL hopes
University High’s wrestling state qualifiers carry Greater Spokane League team trophy hopes to the AAA portion of Mat Classic IX this weekend.
The Titans advanced five wrestlers to state, four of them either first or second in last weekend’s regional tourney.
“We have five good athletes, all capable of placing,” said U-Hi coach Don Owen. “All have to place high, which is a real possibility for us.”
Jared Osborn survived an overtime final to win at 115 pounds and Andy Roberts was tested in the semis before winning at 129.
Teammates Ed Stretch at 135 and Sam Butler at 168 finished second.
During a day of quick stalling calls, fifth state qualifier Josh Vande Vanter was docked a point while working for a takedown and forced into overtime, nearly missing his opportunity. U-Hi’s 141 pounder won and ultimately finished fourth.
Central Valley’s regional effort had a couple of highlights but generally was fraught with disappointment. Only three of nine wrestlers advanced to state.
Shane Cunanan’s stunning upset of an undefeated defending state champion in the 122-pound finals was one highlight.
Brandon Bouge went from just fourth at district to state at 215 pounds.
“I surprised myself big-time,” said Bouge. “I didn’t think I could do it. No, I thought I could, but hadn’t done it yet.”
He pinned GSL district runnerup Joe Ireland and ousted champion Brian Burrow on his way to state.
John Reese at 115 pounds, is, like Cunanan, a repeat state qualifier.
Gonzaga Prep’s Valley connection, Chris Montgomery and Nick Bliss, lead a four-person contingent after finishing first at 108 and 148 pounds, respectively.
Dan Vickrey remembered
A former Central Valley track athlete’s most vivid memory of teammate Dan Vickrey was that he always wore sandals to school.
“He was a throwback to an earlier time,” said Don Dicus, track coach at Valley Christian School.
Vickrey was a free spirit and man of many talents. He was a standout hurdler, fashion model and outdoorsman.
The 1979 graduate of CV was 36 when he died Feb. 3 from injuries suffered in a car accident.
At Central Valley, Vickrey ran a school record 13.8 high hurdle time that still stands untouched nearly 20 years later.
It was a time, set at the Pasco Invitational, that earned him a place on the all-time Washington Prep Track Honor Roll and a scholarship to Washington State University.
“When he was on, he was the best,” said University High track coach and high school rival Keven Frandsen. “He was the fastest high schooler I’ve ever seen over a hurdle.”
Vickrey’s career was plagued by injuries and inconsistency and his life had its ups and downs, said his friends.
Like Dicus, his high school coach Bill Berg remembered Vickrey for his independent spirit.
“You had to be jealous of Dan, not because of his ability, although he had a tremendous amount,” said Berg. “He kind of did things his own way and didn’t try to fit into niches people carved out for him.”
Vickrey’s life had stabilized in marriage. He and his wife Shannon have a six-year-old daughter and she is pregnant with another child.
They were living at Nine Mile Falls and Vickrey drove truck and was working in construction at the time of his death.
“It was just a shock to me,” said Berg. “He was loyal, honest and open with everybody. I wish I could live with the peace he had.”
University gymnasts win region
The University gymnastics team, headed by all-arounders Kalie Cossette, Tara Hulbert, Coleen Pierce and Lindsay Brandle, is state-bound after another convincing team victory.
Central Valley gymnasts Lindsey Linerud, Sarah Shryack, Sidira Sisich and Marissa Deehr also qualified for state. Linerud was fifth all-around.
The state gymnastics tournament is this weekend at the Tacoma Dome.
Basketball update
West Valley’s girls are a win away from an outright championship in the Frontier League.
After beating Riverside on Saturday, the 10-0 Eagles need either a win at Colville Friday or against runnerup Cheney at home Saturday to secure the title.
Following a one-point loss to Clarkston Tuesday night, East Valley’s girls need to beat the Bantams in Clarkston Friday night to be assured a playoff spot.
The Eagle boys, following last weekend’s split, are a game out of the lead and must sweep league-leading Colville and co-second place team Cheney for its 9th league title in 10 years.
Regular season comes to an end tonight for playoff-bound GSL teams Central Valley and University.
The Bears took a step toward finishing third outright with Tuesday’s win over Shadle Park.
Both CV and U-Hi play loser-out district games next Tuesday in the arena.
Freeman and Valley Christian are also headed to district tournaments.
Freeman finished fourth in the Northeast A League with a 9-5 league record and 12-8 overall. The Scotties play Kettle Falls Friday in the loser-out portion of district play.
The girls,who won two of their last three games, qualified for district at 4-10 and 5-15 overall, but were beaten in the loser out first round.
Valley Christian is making its second straight district apparance after beating Liberty 70-56.
, DataTimes