EV Hopes Strong Tradition Will Make Up For Inexperience

Because they competed in the shadows of their own teammates, East Valley’s wrestling team appears to be starting over.

Appearances can be deceiving, however. The team is more experienced than it appears, meaning it should be in the thick of a final Frontier League championship bid.

“Our team is going to be good,” said coach Craig Hanson. “We have a bunch of guys who have to prove themselves, but we’re going to see a pretty seasoned team by the end of the year.”

While coaches are looking at Cheney as a possible favorite, the Knights have tradition to uphold.

They have won eight of the last nine league championships, the last two with a group of athletes who also won first and second place state trophies.

“All those kids started as sophomores and some as freshmen,” said Hanson. “They had a lot of time under their belts.”

This year’s team is not as visibly experienced, but the veteran Blackhawks and West Valley notwithstanding, the outcome won’t necessarily be any different than in years past.

Knights lineup deceiving

East Valley has only two state returnees and took a hit when two other regional veterans moved away.

The Knights do have, however, a number of wrestlers who learned while competing behind departed multi-year Knight stars.

John Sommer, a junior, was second in state last year. Senior Chris Dassow was the other state qualifier at 178.

Additionally, junior Josh Birt and senior Matt Manuel were sixth in regionals. Senior Matt Jolley was a regional qualifier. Senior Grant Pemberton and junior Isaiah Hankel were top six sub-regional placers.

Manuel is at 168 pounds. Birt and Dassow are both at 178.

“We can’t have one of them sitting out of the lineup,” said Hanson. “We might bump people up.”

Jolley remains at 190 pounds, Pemberton is at 115 or 122 and Hankel will be at 141.

Others with sub-regional experience are Charles Payne, battling junior Mike Devenere at 129, junior David Musser at 148, senior Mike Shull and junior Brian Lopes at 158 and senior J.J. Honoroff at 215.

Lopes is currently nursing a knee injury.

“His parents are debating knee surgery or rehabilitation,” said Hanson. “I think we’ll see him as soon as next week.”

Freshmen Matt Croskrey and Kyle Cordez are EV’s 101 pounders and Kellen Corn is a 108 pounder.

Senior Tim Couch is at 122. Sophomore Jim Richardson and freshman Jacob Jolley are 135 pounders.

There are other young prospects, including freshmen, at 141, 148, 158, 168 and 190 pounds.

Newcomers, junior Anthony Albee and freshman Marcus Martin are at 275.

“I could fill a team at every weight with our freshman turnout,” said Hanson.

Veteran Eagles improved

With wrestlers back at most weights, including two state qualifiers, West Valley will be improved.

“We’re going to be a lot better off than last year,” said second-year coach Mike Williams. “The only weight we’re not covering so far is 108 pounds.”

Ty Roberts, up two weights this year to 158 pounds, went from fifth place in sub-regional to fifth place in state.

Teammate Juston Demke, also fifth in sub-region, was the other Eagle state qualifier. He remains at 148 pounds.

“It was a surprise,” said Williams. “Not in the fact of ability, but when the state realigned, I didn’t know if they could get out of district.”

The pair won’t surprise this year as two of 10 returning varsity veterans.

Senior Jeff Rigsby is at 122 pounds. His brother, Jamie Rigsby, is battling another starter, Joe Olmstead, at 115. Seniors Ryan Collins and Tjay Frampton are at 129 and 135 pounds, respectively.

Sophomore Robert Hernandez returns as the 141 pounder. Seniors Rick Collins remains at 168 pounds and Trevor Britton moves up two weights to 178.

Sophomore Adam Aldendorf is back at 215 pounds, while 275-pounder Emory Lewis finds himself being challenged by senior Josh Moe and freshman Mike Schramm.

“It’s going to be close between all three,” said Williams.

Newcomers include freshman Skyler Sharpe at 101 pounds. Sophomore Rob Canfield is another 135-pound candidate. Corde Kurtz, who wrestled as a freshman, but not last year, has returned at 190 pounds.

“We have a great group of seniors,” said Williams. “It’s nice to have that leadership in the room, especially for the younger kids.”