GNL state roster young

Thu., Feb. 16, 2006

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

Youth is being served for Great Northern League wrestling teams at this weekend’s Mat Classic XVIII state 2A tournament in Tacoma.

Of the 23 wrestlers from Lakeside, Deer Park and Riverside who qualified for state, only four were seniors and a dozen are freshmen and sophomores.

Lakeside, with 10 qualifiers, will contend for a fifth state title in their last 2A tournament.

“I feel we’re in better position, and I’m in a lot better mood than a year ago this week,” said coach Scott Jones.

Last year he lamented the fact that the numbers were against his Eagles because the district tournament qualified only two wrestlers per weight to state.

This year the league participated in a 12-school “super regional” that advanced seven out of each weight class. Lakeside had six finalists and five champions.

One champion, Kyle Johnson at 119 pounds, was second in state last year but had placed just third in the district meet. A year ago he wouldn’t have qualified for state with that place.

There were come-throughs elsewhere, particularly sophomore Dustin Baldwin‘s championship at 189 pounds.

“It was a tougher tournament,” said Jones of the regional against teams from the Central Washington Athletic Conference. “I think our kids are much more prepared (for state).

A year ago, Deer Park qualified just one wrestler to state. This year the Stags, have seven including four freshmen, a sophomore and two juniors. Second-year coach Matt Jorgensen, a former Stag wrestler, has revitalized the program. He’s benefited by having former head coach Dean Largent as coach at the middle school.

“We didn’t have to worry about the middle school before, but they’ve won league two of the last three years,” said Jones.

Riverside also advances six to state, including two freshmen and a sophomore.

Mt. Spokane senior Matt Schaffer, backed his school’s first-ever district title with a regional 189-pound championship as one of four North Side 4A state qualifiers. Gonzaga Prep’s Jon Healy was second at 145 and Mead’s Paul Senescall second at 215.

North Central advanced three to 3A state including 135-pound champion Dan Seibert and 125-pound runner-up Jamie Tamura.

State wrestling in the Tacoma Dome begins Friday at 10 a.m. and concludes Saturday, with the finals at 5 p.m.

Gymnasts in Tacoma

The State 4A and 3A/2A gymnastics tournaments will run concurrently with wrestling, also in the Tacoma Dome.

Mead’s freshman-oriented league and regional champions will attempt to improve on last year’s third-place finish. They perform beginning at 7:25 p.m. on Friday.

Ashley Dotson, Katie Green and regional all-around runner-up Tonya Turner are veterans of state.

Mt. Spokane’s Sarah Hanson, third all-around at regional, and state veterans Shadle Park’s Stephanie Totman and Sarah Miller are part of individual competition that begins a 2:30 p.m.

North Central and Lakeside have a seven performers in the 3A/2A individual competition that begins at 9:15 a.m.

Individual finals are Saturday at noon.

Basketball playoffs set

District 3A basketball begins tonight and 4A Tuesday for Greater Spokane League schools.

North Central boys play West Valley at Mt. Spokane, 8:30 p.m. for top seed and home game in regionals Tuesday. Three teams from the eight-team regional that runs through Saturday in Cheney, advance to state.

Boys and girls teams from Gonzaga Prep, Shadle Park, Mead and Mt. Spokane will be involved in next week’s District 8 4A tournament.

Competition begins Tuesday at the home of the highest seeded teams, third-through-sixth, and continues next Thursday for girls at Central Valley and boys at University.

In boys games, the Highlanders host the Wildcats and the Panthers are at Central Valley Tuesday at 7:45 p.m. Mead girls will host either Shadle or Central Valley at 5:45. The Highlanders could also play at Lewis and Clark.

Losers are out, winners qualify for regionals in the Tri-Cities and three from there advance to state.

Both Gonzaga Prep teams don’t play until next Thursday, already assured regional berths after sharing their respective GSL titles.

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