I.V. grapplers making strong show at tournaments
From our weekly issue dated February 11, 2009
The past two weeks have been something special for the 4-A #3-ranked (tied with Sweet Home) Cougar wrestling team.
Despite being short some wrestlers, head coach Jay Miller and his staff have done a great job rallying the “Cats” to a couple of top finishes during two recent tournaments and a dual meet win.
Two weekends ago in Cottage Grove the Cougars finished second by scoring 140 points behind champion South Umpqua (156) and ahead of North Medford (134.5).
Champions from Illinois Valley High School were Jesse Orndoff in the 103-pound weight class, who scored a decision against Blake Woolsey of Philomath; and Lance Tausaga in the 215 class, who also scored a decision, against Grant Thompson, of Cottage Grove.
They then won a dual match against Henley, 34-31, on Thursday, Feb. 5 at Ken Mann Memorial Gym in Cave Junction. Two Cougars stepped up against the Hornets, literally. Jarrod Houston normally wrestles in the 189 class, but on the 5th he wrestled at 215.
That’s because the Cougar who wrestles at that weight, Lance Tausaga, jumped 70 pounds to the 285-weight class. Amazingly, both of them won. Other Cougar winners in their respective weight classes were Jesse Orndoff (103), Chris Culver (112), Jon Anderson (125), Mitch Van Tassel (145/pin), Sam Winter (152/pin), Landy Wells (171), and Brett Mathes (189).
On Saturday, Feb. 7 at the prestigious 2009 Rogue Valley Championships in Medford, the Cougars clawed their way to a third-place finish with 157.5 points behind champion 6-A Roseburg (237.50) and runner-up 5-A Eagle Point (189.5).
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What makes this so impressive is the fact that IVHS is the smallest 4-A school in the state. Roseburg is the #1-ranked team in the state in 6-A. To make it a more unbelievable accomplishment, the Indians are ranked 23rd in the nation in that class. A totally awesome performance by the Cougars.
Three Cougars were champions: Jesse Orndoff (103), Jon Anderson (125/tech fall) and Lance Tausaga (215). Three Cougars captured second places: Quayde Fisher (135), Sam Winter (140), and Landy Wells (171). Matt Coultas finished 4th in his 16-wrestler bracket.
The Cougars seem to be hitting their stride and getting hot at the right time on their quest for that state 4-A title.
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