Wrestling Preview Small schools

A year ago Deer Park won its first team state wrestling championship, capturing the 2A title to join Lakeside (Nine Mile Falls) in 1A and Republic in 2B/1B atop the podium.

With individual titlists Cody Miller and Drew Acorn among six or seven returning state placers – anterior cruciate ligaments willing – DP’s Stags, who graduated two placers, could be in the title mix again.

“If we were totally healthy, we would make a run,” DP coach Matt Jorgensen said.

His son Ryan, third at 160 last year, recovered from one ACL surgery, then tore the ligament in his good knee during football.

“He’s an early healer but kind of a long shot to come back,” Jorgensen said.

Ethan Grable, who finished fourth at 171, had shoulder surgery then tore his ACL in a non-sports injury and should be cleared to return soon. Blake Adams, third at 112, wrestled last year without an ACL, had it replaced and is back in action.

“One in football, one in a match, one with nothing to do with football,” Jorgensen said.

Similar to Lakeside, DP has four sets of brothers in the room. Freshmen Jason Jorgensen and Dylan Miller are in the starting lineup. Returning starter Billy Rhoads could be joined in the lineup at times by his brother Brian.

The team is entered in several big tournaments, including Tri-State, with a goal to win one to complement the state title. Matt Jorgensen said that last year’s team was a little further ahead at this time in the year.

“I think we can catch up,” he said. “If we wrestle like we did last year, we have a shot to defend.”

2A

Great Northern League began with Clarkston beating Colville on Tuesday. Deer Park was at Clarkston on Wednesday. The Stags and Riverside, which finished fourth in state last year, are league favorites.

“The Battle of the Horns has been standing-room only the last two years,” Jorgensen said of the DP-Riverside competition.

Clarkston and Cheney remain solid and West Valley hired ex-North Idaho College and Central Valley coach John Owen, who brings instant credibility. Former North Central coach Randy Cloke heads Colville.

Other state placers last year were state finalist Jacob DesRosches and Ryan Major, Riverside; Jason Skjothaug Cheney; Matt Powell, Clarkston; D.J. Hall, Colville; and Ruslan Cox, Pullman.

“Deer Park has their returning state placers, of course, but there are some kids from other teams that will rise up this year,” Riverside coach Randy Miller said. “We hope to finish better than last year.”

1A

Lakeside two-time state champ Reid Chivers moved back to Bellingham, but five other state placers return. The Northeast A League had 14 underclassmen place at state last year.

Among them are Newport’s Daniel Swain and Steffen Ellison, third and fourth, respectively; Russell Whitley, Mychael Woods and Daniel Trudeau, Chewelah; Jesse Nichols, Colfax; and Tanner Bolt and Steven Weiler, Kettle Falls.

2B/1B

Republic and Reardan have been the last two state team champions. Republic’s Tigers bring back state champions Ryn Rollins, Scotty Bacon and J.J. Gubler and finalist Levi Larson.