I.V. Cougars winter sports wrap-up
From our weekly issue dated March 18, 2009
Illinois Valley's Sam Winter lost a tough match in a 6-3 decision during the Cal-Or Seniors Wrestling Tournament in Redding, Calif. on Saturday, March 14, a meet that featured wrestlers from throughout Oregon and California.
Winter lost to Mitch Newcomer, of Laguna Hills, Calif.
It was definitely tougher for Winter and the team to mentally prepare and train because their state tournament was held two weeks before. California had its state tournament the weekend before the 14th. There is also a mismatch in numbers, in that California has close to 9,000 schools with wrestling programs; Oregon has 195.
Oregon lost the dual 39 - 15. Some of the Oregon top wrestlers were not available because of commitment to National tournaments.
Cougar all-conference and team awards
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Wrestling: Illinois Valley had host of grapplers to be selected to the All Skyline Conference.
Representing the Cougars on the first team: senior Sam Winter, freshman Jesse Orndoff, junior Jon Anderson, junior Chris Culver, and senior Lance Tausaga. IVHS grapplers on the second team: junior Quayde Fisher, senior Landy Wells, and junior Jarred Houston. Gaining honorable mentions: freshman Chase Weir, and sophomore Matt Cultas.
Team awards also were given during the winter sports banquet. Co-MVP awards went to Winter and Orndoff; the Most Improved award went to Jarred Houston. Tausaga was tapped for the Most Inspirational award; Orndorf was picked as Most Outstanding Freshman; and the Most Improved Freshman award went to Weir.
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Basketball: Three members of the Cougar boys basketball team garnered recognition in the Skyline All-Conference selections. They are senior Kevin Snook, first team; sophomore Roger Hults, second team; and senior Nathan Heath, honorable mention. Snook was also a first team All-Conference defensive selection.
Team awards were: MVP, Snook; offensive MVP, Hults; Most Improved, Heath.
For the girls varsity hoopsters, honorable mentions in the Skyline went to senior Amanda Hults and Larissa Tausaga.
Girls team awards: MVP, Hults; Most Improved, sophomore Kayla Johnson; and Most Inspirational, senior Tammy Huntamer.
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Snook’s senior season sensational
During the IVHS sports banquet, Kevin Snook received his All Skyline certificates and medals for first team All-Conference and first team All-Defensive, along with Scholar Athlete Award and team MVP. During the season, Snook amassed 312 points, 201 rebounds, and 103 blocks.
Snook has been accepted at Southern Oregon University at Ashland in the Honors Program. He will try to walk on to play basketball. His other possible higher education choice is Lane Community College in Eugene. Because of his accomplishments, he has been invited to play in the Medford All-Star Classic on Friday, March 20 with tip-off at 8 p.m. at Kid’s Unlimited. To help Snook to be a starter, vote at www.mailtribune.com/allstar.
He also received an invitation to participate in the USA Junior National All-State Competition on Sunday, April 5.
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