Young Timberwolf team tuning up for league action
ANDREW CHRISTIANSEN
Reporter
Goldendale wrestlers are working toward weight goals during the early going of the season which begins with the first dual against Naches Valley on Jan. 8. In the meantime, the young squad had tough matches against SCAC eastside opponents, River View and Warden, a good workout at the Othello Invitational, and they hosted Pomeroy in their first home match.
The Timberwolves had wrestlers in just six weight divisions at River View, making any thoughts of match victories doubtful.
Johnathan Monroe led the team with two victories, both from pins in his matches against the home Panthers, and Warden in the double dual. Four wrestlers were 1-1 on the day. Torey Spaulding-Jimenez split at 145, as did Kurt Wilkins at 189, Darren Stelter at 215, and Kyle Ross at 285. Kirk Giese, Billy Monroe, Tony Yuri, and Zach Barrett were 0-1.
Coach Omar Flores was pleased with his team’s performance at the Othello Invite. Ross, Stelter, Wilkins and Spaulding-Jimenez earned third place medals and Johnathan Monroe finished fourth after losing to his teammate Wilkins.
Yuri, who is new to the sport, logged his first win of the year. Yuri and Braydon Ross each finished 1-2 at the meet. Giese, who gives up quite a few pounds in the 103 division finished 1-2.
Pomeroy made their way to Goldendale through snowy roads, last week, and gave the Timberwolves a taste of top-notch competition. Pomeroy finished seventh at State class B in 2007 and sixth in 2008. Five of the 10 Pirates who wrestled, appeared at State last year and three were medalists.
Action began with Spaulding-Jimenez taking on Tye Kneble at 145. Kneble was third in State at 140 and proved to be a very strong opponent. Spaulding-Jimenez could only manage one point on a first round escape before falling to a 17-1 superior decision in the second round.
Braydon Ross was pinned by Torey Kneble with eight seconds left in the first round. Yuri fared a little better against Tyler Reisdorph, who wrestled at 160 at State in 2007. Yuri managed a first round takedown, but was quickly reversed at the start of round two and was pinned with 1:23 left.
The most entertaining match of the night was freshman Wilkins taking on Ethan McGee at 189 pounds. The two were evenly matched with McGee taking the lead half way through round one with a takedown. Wilkins reversed for two points, and McGee returned the favor and earned a couple of back points to take a 6-2 lead into round two. With Wilkins starting on top, the only points in round two were back points that closed the gap to 6-4.
Wilkins evened things with a third round reversal and came close to gaining back exposure. With 22 seconds left, McGee grabbed a leg to break free from Wilkins and got a reversal for an 8-6 win.
The only points scored by Goldendale came in Spaulding-Jimenez’s second match, against Craig Heitstumen. Spaulding-Jimenez began round two in the down position and behind 2-1 on the scoreboard. A quick escape gave Spaulding-Jimenez the opportunity for a takedown and he put Heitstumen straight to his back and got the pin with 18 seconds left.
In other matches, Johnathan Monroe lost a superior decision to Klyntin Bott, who was third in State at 189 in 2008; Stelter and Kyle Ross were each pinned; Zach Barrett continued to show improvement, coming close on a couple of takedown moves before succumbing to a second round pin.
Braydon Ross managed to fight off a pin for 1:38 in the first round of his second match, but was eventually pinned 1:12 into round two. Yuri was pinned in his second match against Matt Slaybaugh, a second place State medalist in 2000.
Next for the Wolves is the Royal Invitational on Dec. 30.
Storm wreaks havoc on basketball schedule
Snow caused cancellation of several basketball games in Klickitat County, including what was to be Goldendale’s league opener with Mabton. It was the second game cancelled this year, as the Timberwolves previously scratched a home game with Warden.
The Klickitat versus Lyle-Wishram rivalry was put on hold last Saturday, one day after the Cougars had to cancel their game against Trout Lake-Glenwood. Bickleton vs Thorp was cancelled, last Thursday.
Goldendale vs Highland
Goldendale’s boys and girls teams finished the preseason with 3-2 records and are 0-1 following league losses to Highland last Saturday. Turnovers got the best of the girls in a 41-32 loss, and the boys fell 48-34. Next up is the holiday tournament in Stevenson with Lyle-Wishram and Columbia, Dec. 29-30.
Lyle vs Yakama
The Cougars sent Yakama Tribal home with two losses on Dec. 16. The boys won 72-56 and the girls showed heart by pulling out a 41-38 win.
Klickitat vs Cascade Locks
“It was a miserable game,” said Coach Joe Bales following the Vandals’ 59-57, overtime win against Cascade Locks. The Klickitat boys’ 24 turnovers were about twice as many as the coach could tolerate. There were bright spots, as Jeromie Mason scored 14, had 15 rebounds and eight steals. Wade Ramsey hit the game winner. The Helix tournament is Dec. 29-30. TLG visits on Jan. 9, to begin league play.
Bickleton vs Riverside Christian JV
Bickleton boys and girls completed their sweep of Riverside Christian JV, 42-38 and 44-27, respectively. Kahlotus visits on Jan. 7, then Sunnyside Christian Jan. 9.
Bellamy, Fargher first team all-state volleyball
Several athletes from area schools were recognized for their accomplishments during the volleyball and football season with selection to all-state teams.
Goldendale’s Kylee Bellamy was chosen first team setter for 1A, and Klickitat’s Kali Fargher, also a setter, was first team for the state’s 1B schools.
Katelynn Clinton, of Bickleton, and Samantha Brewer, of Klickitat, were honorable mentions as 1B hitters.
Lyle-Wishram’s Ty Freemantle was tabbed as second team kick-returner, and Henry Matai made third team as running back and linebacker.
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