Ben Alford of Northwest Christian heads to state looking for first wrestling title

Ranked No. 1 all season, Ben Alford can see his dream finish a week away.

The 160-pound Alford is heavily favored to become Northwest Christian’s first state wrestling champion in the Colbert school’s fourth year fielding a team.

He pinned his way to a title Saturday at the 2B/1B Super East Regional at NWC.

Alford took care of Michael Sims of Reardan in 2 minutes, 54 seconds in the final.

He didn’t waste any time, getting his first takedown just six seconds into the match. In the down position to start the second period, Alford scored a reversal that he turned into three back points seemingly as quick as the referee blew his whistle to start the period. Moments later he ended the match.

“I go out there and I know if he’s working harder than I am, I’m going to lose,” Alford said. “I need to go out there and show my dominance.”

Alford, who placed third at state the last two years, thought he was going to break through for a state title last year. But he lost in the semifinals and suffered a torn meniscus in the process.

That just stoked his fire for this season. He’s wrestling for a number of people.

“I want to win a state championship for Jace Malek,” Alford said of his friend, a senior at West Valley, who was diagnosed recently with Ewings sarcoma – bone cancer in his hip.

Alford placed eighth at Tri-State in December.

Four of his losses have come against Tri-State placers.

“Taking eighth at Tri-State kind of put a little bit of a chip on my shoulder,” he said. “I don’t think it’s in a bad way, I think it’s a good way. I’ve been wrestling in the Bs and people always make fun of the Bs a little bit and say that we’re weaker competition. Placing at a big tournament like that – some 4A schools didn’t place anyone.”

The top five in each weight advance to state, beginning Friday in Tacoma.

Five other area wrestlers won regional titles. They are: defending state champs Justin Chantry of Selkirk (113), Kain Feltwell of Liberty (132), Lucas Rittel of Republic (182), Nick James of Davenport (170) and Cody Hoffman of Selkirk (195).

4A: Five Greater Spokane League wrestlers captured titles at Wenatchee.

Bryson Beard (120), Blake Beard (138) and Chauncye Garrigan (182) won titles as they led Central Valley to second place with 135.5 points behind team winner Moses Lake’s 169.

Levi Meinzinger (170) and Tate Orndorff (heavyweight) of University were the other two victors, propelling the Titans to third (120 points).

The top four in each weight go to state.

3A: Defending state champ North Central claimed a team title at Kelso.

NC finished ahead of Kamiakin, Shadle Park and Mt. Spokane as the Quintanilla brothers, Clai (113) and Izaec (160), won championships.

NC’s Bryan Wais (145) scored a big overtime win over Bryden Uyehara of Shadle, reversing a decision at district.

The Indians qualified eight to state – two more than last year.

“Eight could be enough for us to contend for another title, but we’re going to have to step up next weekend,” NC coach Luke Leifer said.

Mt. Spokane qualified seven for state and Shadle Park six.

Six other GSL athletes won titles. They are: Alec Hoover (120), Andrew Hoover (126) and Rich Bondurant (138) of Mt. Spokane, Kyle Vinson (182) and Ryan Burnett (195) of Shadle and Markus Robinson (220) of Rogers.

2A: Clarkston, behind three champs, took third with 131 points and East Valley (126.5) fourth behind winner Toppenish (215.5).

Aleksey Dyfort of West Valley, who competed behind Jace Malek until his teammate was stricken with cancer, won at heavyweight.

1A: Markus Goldbach (182) and Teigan Glidewell (heavyweight) won their weights to lead Freeman to a second straight title.

Freeman finished with 258 points in the meet at Cascade. Deer Park was second with 190, one point ahead of Colville.

Deer Park had four winners and Colville three. In all, 12 Northeast A wrestlers won titles as the top four in each weight qualified for state.

Girls: Amanda Gilliam of NC led area wrestlers at the meet in Othello.

Gilliam took second at 110 pounds. Shaelynn Mason of Lewis and Clark was third at 190 pounds.