U-Hi Grappler Lee Chases Another Medal

Reggie Lee is in Montana this weekend in search of another wrestling tournament medal.

The University High senior has already been a surprise this year with three tourney championships.

Included was a victory last weekend at U-Hi’s Pacific Northwest Classic over defending state champion Matt Westenfelder from Lakeside.

“It was a big-time confidence builder,” said Lee of his triumph. “He’s an awesome wrestler. I don’t think anyone will touch him the rest of the year.”

Last season, wrestling up in weight at 178 pounds, Lee qualified fourth from the GSL for regionals.

His improvement from then to now, however, has been dramatic.

He won the 168-pound championship of the Inland Empire Classic, the 171-pound title at the prestigious Tri-State Tournament and capped it last weekend with the win over Westenfelder.

“A lot of it,” said Lee, “was last summer. I got to go to nationals and went 2-2. More than anything I got to see the best wrestlers in the country. It was motivation.”

He also attended the intensive camp at the University of Oregon.

“They made us do some things I never thought I could do in my entire life,” said Lee.

Lee was one of five Valley champions at the PNW tournament. Three others were finalists.

Included were Titan winners Tommy Owen, 115, Conor Jordan, 141, Ben Osborn, 148 and Central Valley’s Blair Alderman, 178.

Second placers were Titan Zack Ewers, 158, EV’s John Sommer, 108 and Matt Jolley, 190.

Placing third were CV’s Kyle Bush, 122, Anthony Shivers, 135, and EV’s Isaiah Hankel, 141.

Titans Josh Buege, 215, and Jeremy Dowling, 275, were fourth.

Placing fifth were University’s Magellan Laurich, 122, and Gordon Moore, 178, CV’s Dave Burnett, 129, and John McGaugh, 141 and EV’s Chris Dassow, 168, Two U-Hi athletes wrestling unattached, Nick Peterson, 141, and David Courchaine, 158, also were fifth.

Sixth place finisher was EV’s Matthew Croskrey, 101.

University won the team championship.

West Valley’s wrestling team, meanwhile, had four finalists during the Inland Northwest Championships at Sandpoint.

Juston Demke won the 152-pound weight class, while Ty Roberts, 160, Trevor Britton, 171, and Adam Aldendorf, heavyweight, finished second.

Boning up for big matches

Central Valley’s wrestling team will take its learning curve under first-year coach Brett Racicot to a new level, beginning next week.

“I knew we’d be a better team by late January,” said Racicot of his efforts to get the defending league champions to wrestle his style. “We’ll be pretty good by then.”

Racicot will find out soon enough. The Bears, who share second place in league with rival University, finish out the season against three of the league’s top five teams.

They begin against unbeaten Gonzaga Prep at home next Wednesday. The following Wednesday they travel to Rogers, then finish the season by hosting the Battle of the Bone against the Titans on Jan. 28.

Going into the pivotal nine days, Alderman, Burnett and 115-pound John Dashbach are all unbeaten in league. McGaugh, Bush, Shivers, 108-pound Mike Durtschi and 148-pound Zach Brownson only have one loss apiece. Brownson’s came while he was wrestling at 158.

And the Bears have been fortified by the addition of Tyree Clowe who has won twice in his return.

Kerwick to Russia

University High senior Mahlon Kerwick is continuing his international boxing travels.

The 132-pounder will represent USA Boxing in a match against Siberian world champion Alaksandr Maletin in Kransnoyarsk, in central Russia, on Jan. 30. The tournament is billed as the Champions Challenge Champions international supertournament.

Kerwick was originally scheduled to box at the Inland Northwest Boxing Association senior tournament at U-Hi on Jan 23.

He will travel to the international event instead. It automatically qualifies him for the U.S. National Tournament in March.

CV gymnasts win series with rival

Central Valley’s gymnasts, second in the Greater Spokane League with a 14-2 record, have won their season series over rival University (12-5).

The Bears beat the Titans 167.15 to 158.6 on Thursday for their second victory in the three game set. The two teams meet in the season finale, Jan. 27 at CV.

Karli Poirer won all-around with victories on bars and floor exercise. Teammate Emily Roberts won vault and was second on balance beam.

Titan Alisa Brandle placed third overall with second place finishes on floor exercise and vault.

Freeman wins own tournament

Freeman won its own wrestling invitational with Scotties Brandon Marchand, first at 190 pounds, Jeff Wigen at 168 and Chris Hodl at 178 all finalists.

Placing third were Ian Cutler, 115, and Chris Fulkerson, 122, and fourth were Tyson Marchand, 141, Bill Morphy, 148, and Adam Howard, 215.