Five Cougar grapplers crowned district champions
From our weekly issue dated February 25, 2009
Wrestlers Jon Anderson, Matt Coultas, Jarred Houston, Sam Winter, Lance Tausaga, Jesse Orndoff, and Chase Weir. (Photo by Ashley Webb for Illinois Valley News )
The Illinois Valley third-ranked wrestling team performed superbly at the Skyline district meet in Murphy at Hidden Valley High School on Saturday, Feb. 21.
Although the Cougars came up short of their fifth consecutive conference title, they still had five champions and qualified five more wrestlers for the state tournament.
Due to different reasons, the Cougars didn’t have enough wrestlers (12) to garner sufficient team points to defend their title. But the IVHS team had the highest percentage of wrestlers of any team to qualify.
With 204 points, the Cougars finished third behind Henley (319) and Phoenix (288.5).
“The Cougars defeated the Hornets in two dual meets earlier this season, but Henley brought a bus load of wrestlers to district,” said Ward Winter, a longtime valley wrestling fan.
Besides the three #1 state-ranked wrestlers and district champions, I.V. will send seven more to the 4-A state championships at Memorial Coliseum in Portland starting Thursday, Feb. 26.
In Murphy, I.V.’s district champs emerged as Lance Tausaga (215), two-time district champion, who took a 10-5 decision vs. teammate Jarred Houston; plus Sam Winter (140) two-time district champion; and defending state champion and freshman sensation Jesse Orndoff (103), who took a 3-0 decision vs. Zorg Loustalet, of Henley.
And the Cougars are sending two to state in the 103, 140 and 215 weight classes. Chase Weir, who placed third behind Orndoff; Matt Coultas, who also placed third behind Winter; and Houston, second behind Tausaga.
Also qualifying were Chris Culver (112) two-time district champion with a 9-5 decision vs. Kris Renfro; Jon Anderson (125), champion 11-0 winner vs. Henley’s Brian Heater; Quade Fisher (135), second; Landy Wells (171), second; and Wells, a transfer from Chiloquin (second). Culver and Fisher all placed during the 2007 state meet.
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In a preview of a possible state championship match, number-one ranked Winter wrestled number-two ranked Eleazar Deluca, of Phoenix to a 2-0 score. It went scoreless in the first period, and Winter scored 1 point in the second on an escape, and 1 point in the third when Deluca was called for stalling.
Brandon Foraker (fourth) and Tyler Delaney (sixth) finished outside the money for the Cougars.
Cougar Winter was an MVP co-winner from 103 to 140 with Aaron David, of Henley; and Tausaga was an MVP co-winner from 145 to 285 with Paul Gutzman, of North Valley.
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