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SPOKANE -- Ely Garza swears this wasn't his grand plan.
After sitting out ineligible for all but a couple of weeks of the regular season and getting in just enough matches to qualify for the sub-district tournament, Southridge's junior two-time state placer is at it again and looks fresh as folded laundry.
Garza rolled through the 119-pound bracket Saturday at Central Valley, light on his feet and heavy in the scoring at the 4A Region IV tournament.
His 11-6 win over Mead freshman Jeremy Golding -- it wasn't that close -- gave the Tri-Cities its only regional champion heading into next week's Mat Classic in Tacoma.
"I always thought I would wrestle (this season)," said Garza, who improved to 13-0 after scoring three takedowns and a nearfall in his final. "I'm in pretty decent shape. Some of the other things aren't the same as if I had wrestled (all season)."
Ten wrestlers from the Tri-Cities placed among the top four to qualify outright for state -- three each from Richland and Kennewick -- while another six finished fifth and are alternates.
The day belonged to Moses Lake, which ran away with the team title, had four individual champions and qualified 10 to state. The Chiefs' 104 1/2 points was only one less than the five Tri-Cities schools scored combined.
The CBBN, which started with 60 percent of the wrestlers in the field, claimed 33 of the 56 state berths (59 percent). The Greater Spokane League equaled the CBBN's seven individual champions.
Richland's Kyler Mars at 103 and Kennewick's Brian Reil at 285 reach the finals and finished second. Reil, seeded third from the CBBN, was pinned in the first period by Mead's Carter Comito after knocking off top-seed Damian Adams of Pasco in the semifinals.
Mars lost 6-4 to University's Brandon Matlock, with a first-period takedown by Matlock setting the tone in the low-scoring match.
"At that point I just tried to wrestle smart and wrestle aggressive," said Mars, adding he was relieved to get to state for the first time after finishing first in districts last year but failing to advance out of regionals.
Mars will be joined at state by teammates Jacob Bieber (third at 119) and Dustin Utecht (fourth at 125). Bieber secured his second state berth with a pin in the critical "make or break" round, the match where the winner goes on to wrestle for state seeding and the loser can only hope to come through as an alternate.
"I was not going to end my senior season right there," Bieber said. "I was not going to let some sophomore (University's Mitch Bell) take state away from me."
Saul Soto (160) and Jack Loomis (171) both finished fourth to join Reil as Kennewick's state contingent. Loomis won a close 6-5 "make or break" decision over Richland's Jeremy Knighten.
"I worked hard all year just to make it," Loomis said. "It feels so good to get there."
Tamrich Perez finished fourth at 145 for Southridge to join Garza. Sedale Garcia (119) and Derrick Cooley (130) also finished fourth for Kamiakin. The Braves, however, are missing a key name.
Returning state placer Pedro Mendoza, the CBBN's top seed at 140 pounds, had a cauliflower ear drained the day before districts last week but was not medically cleared to wrestle in time to weigh in, and so did not qualify for regionals.
Walla Walla will send three to state: Ryan Harmon, runner-up at 135, as well as David Marquez (145) and Trey Haines (160), who finished third.
Moses Lake got titles from Nico Moreno (130), Sam Villegas (152), Brian Chamberlain (189) and Spencer Fackrell (215), with Ricco Moreno (125) and Thomas Pfeiffer (145) finishing second.
Villegas won his title with a first-period pin of Wenatchee's Nick Hunt to improve to 30-1. The senior won a 1A state title with Royal last season and was a two-time state runner-up. He said that while the competition is tougher in the 4As, that hasn't changed his goal one bit: a title.
"My conditioning is probably the best it's ever been," he said. "I definitely still feel like I want to prove myself in the 4As."
Team scores--Moses Lake 204 1/2, University 143 1/2, Mead 106, Wenatchee 100 1/2, Ferris 98, Davis 88 1/2, Central Valley 84, Southridge 61 1/2, Richland 56, Walla Walla 49, Kennewick 40, Kamiakin 26, Pasco 22, Lewis & Clark 12, Eastmont 9, Eisenhower 0, Gonzaga Prep 0.
Top four to state and local placers
103--Brandon Matlock (U-Hi) d. Kyler Mars (Rich) 6-4; Alexio Garcia (Dav) p. Logan Ames (CV) 3:12; 5, Hayden Wise (ML). 112--Cortney Nalley (Dav) m.d. Brandon Byers (U-Hi) 14-5; Jarod Maynes (CV) d. Andrew Valdez (ML) 5-2; 5, Robert Leyva (ML). 119--Ely Garza (SR) d. Jeremy Golding (Mead) 11-6; Jacob Bieber (Rich) d. Sedale Garcia (Kam) 3-2; 5, Blaze Larson (SR).
125--Zach Nalley (Dav) p. Ricco Moreno (ML) 2:20; Isaac Gates (Wen) inj. def. Dustin Utecht (Rich). 130--Nico Moreno (ML) d. Krayson Gates (Wen) 5-3; Trevor Delmedico (CV) d. Derrick Cooley (Kam) 6-3. 135--Brrandon Riehle (Fer) p. Ryan Harmon (WW) 2:24; Cameron Chlarson (ML) p. Kevin Harder (U-Hi) 2:01; 5, Michael Elizondo (Pas); 6, Jordan Bishop (ML). 140--Jordan Rogers (Mead) p. Tyler Simmet (CV) 5:49; Kido Espinoza (Dav) d. Tyler Vela (ML) 8-3.
145--Ryan Zumwalt (U-Hi) d. Tomas Pfeiffer (ML) 11-6; David Marquez (WW) d. Tamrich Perez (SR) 9-4. 152--Sam Villegas (ML) p. Nick Hunt (Wen) 1:56; Max Coulson (Fer) d. Nick Bond (Mead) 5-4; 5, Israel Armenta (SR). 160--Jake Mason (U-Hi) d. Andre Rivera (Fer) 6-3; Trey Haines (WW) inj. def. Saul Soto (Ken); 5, Josh Fischer (SR).
171--Cody Stratton (CV) d. Ian Bauman (Fer) 2-1; Dustin Johnson (U-Hi) d. Jack Loomis (Ken); 5, Jeremy Knighten (Rich). 189--Brian Chamberlain (ML) d. Russell Stinson (Fer) 5-3; Peter Van Voorhis (LC) d. Jacob Sealby (Wen) 6-1; 5, Eric Eastman (WW); 6, Frank Garza (Pas). 215--Spencer Fackrell (ML) d. Jacob Trotter (Mead) 3-2; Jake Laden (U-Hi) d. Lucas Sealby (Wen) 7-1; 6, Brady Simpson (Rich). 285--Carter Comito (Mead) p. Brian Reil (Ken) :26; Kabe Fluaitt (ML) p. Michael Marboe (Wen) :50; 5, Damian Adams (Pas); 6, Grant Robinson (SR).
3A Region IV
SUNNYSIDE -- As expected, the best of the best beat up on each other, with No. 2 East Valley of Spokane edging No. 4 Sedro-Woolley by 1 1/2 points for the team title.
Sunnyside finished a distant third and qualified seven for state, including champions Steven Romero (112) and Baltazar Avalos (140). Christian Reyes (103) and Shawn Olivarez (135) each finished second.
Hanford managed to push through two of its six wrestlers. Mike Ruane finished second at 145, and Caleb Gifford was fourth at 135.
Team scores--East Valley 169 1/2, Sedro-Woolley 168, Sunnyside 129, Ferndale 110, Everett 106, North Central 97, West Valley 51, Meadowdale 48, Shadle Park 43, Glacier Peak 38, Mt. Spokane 36, Mt. Vernon 35, Hanford 33 1/2, Rogers 22, Lynnwood 8, Shorecrest 0.
Top 4 to state plus local placers
103--Nick Sweeney (EV) d. Christian Reyes (SS) 5-3 OT; Joseph Bratz (GP) d. Nathan Gonzalez (SS) 10-5. 112--Steven Romero (SS) d. Nathan Brown (NC) 6-0; Jared Berlinger (NC) d. Keith Babington (EV) 2-0. 119--Van Lor (Rog) d. Joshua St. Marie (GP) 3-2; Wyatt Maguire (MS) d. Darren Bunke (SP) 3-2.
125--Dylan Krenz (Fern) d. Trent Morgan (SW) 8-5; Derek Entz (SP) inj. def. Jack Forrest (Evt); 6, Isidro Ramirez (SS). 130--Levi Koetje (MV) d. Gabe Rodriguez (EV) 2-1; Nick Martinez (SS) d. Kody Liles (Fern) 7-4. 135--Shane Hunt (SW) p. Shawn Olivarez (SS) 1:07; Sean Biltoft (EV) d. Caleb Gifford (Han) 5-4. 140--Baltazar Avalos (SS) d. John Janicki (SW) 5-3 OT; Preston Baich (WV) m.d. Andrew Parada (Mdw) 16-6.
145--Chris Tripplet (EV) inj. def. Mike Ruane (Han); Nelson Petrone (Mdw) inj. def. Tyler Pound (Evrt); 5, Leroy Rodelo (SS). 152--Derek Garcia (SW) p. Jacob Rodriguez (EV) 1:21; Zack Wilkes (MS) d. Conner Brame (Fern) 3-2. 160--Tristan Greig (Fern) d. Nic Price (EV) 7-5; David Huizar (SS) d. Connor Johnson (MV) 4-3.
171--Cody Pohren (SW) p. Ben Carter (NC); Laban Crook (Evrt) inj. def. Danny Lopez (Evrt); 6, Aaron Fenton (Han). 189--Dakota Lawson (EV) p. Ryan Nelson (Fern) 4:54; Jerry Contreras (Evrt) d. David Stratton (NC) 9-3. 215--Kyler Crow (Fern) d. Alec Bird (Evrt) 8-6 OT; Michael Loutsis (Mdw) p. Joe Janicki (SW) 2:25. 285--Steven Taylor (NC) p. Konrad Swarts (SW) 1:29; Brad Overand (WV) p. Levi Carroll (Evrt) 1:13; 6, Adam Peters (SS).
2A Region IV
ELLENSBURG -- Grandview's Santos Guillen at 103 and Othello's Reuben Lopez at 135 claimed titles in a tough field.
Top-ranked Deer Park edged Riverside for the team title as the top five in each weight advanced to state. Othello pushed four through, Grandview two and Prosser three, including runner-up Osmar Jaimez at 119.
Team scores--Deer Park 200, Riverside 191 1/2, Clarkston 139, Toppenish 128 1/2, Ellensburg 119, Othello 101, Cheney 89, Selah 75, Quincy 66, Colville 52, Ephrata 51, Grandview 47, East Valley 44, Prosser 44, Medical Lake 41, West Valley 35, Wapato 17 1/2, Pullman 15.
Top 5 to state and local placers
103--Santos Guillen (Gvw) d. Josh Bradley (Chen) 11-5; Irving Jaimez (Pro) d. Nikko Rodriguez (Sel) 5-4; Jose Barrera (Top). 112--Konner Hopkins (EV) d. Isiaah Garza (Top) 4-2; Blake Adams (DP) d. Aaron Arredondo (Top) 5-0; Levi Needles (Sel). 119--Julian Romero (Top) d. Osmar Jaimez (Pro) 9-2; Drew Acorn (DP) p. Garrett Santanna (Rsd) 4:48; Brenton Beard (Rsd).
125--Kenny Sanders (Ell) d. Ryan Majord (Rsd) 7-0; Matt Jordan (Oth) ing. def. Tim Silvas (Qui); Kit Major (Rsd); 6, Eduardo Montes (Oth). 130--Quinn Gannon (WV) d. Robert Espinoza (Sel) 2-1; Miguel Montiel (Top) d. Mason Yates (EV) 7-4; 5, Kiki Rebuelta (Oth). 135--Reuben Lopez (Oth) m.d. Bryce Dresler (ML) 14-5; Kenny Garza (Wap) d. Manny Ybarra (Qui) 3-1; Kurt Nygard (Eph). 140--Matt Powell (Clark) p. Billy Rhoads (DP) 2:55; Amando DeLeon (Oth) d. Tait Tucker (Ell) 5-3; Josh Cruz (Sel).
145--Brandon Leliefeld (DP) d. Chase Florez (Rsd) 3-1; Quinton Hendrickson (Eph) d. Chris Rowe (Sel) 4-1; Dewey Bender (Rsd). 152--Cody Miller (DP) p. Zane Earl (Clark) 2:34; Jason Skjothaug (Chen) m.d. Tyler Coates (Ell) 14-4; Aaron Frank (DP). 160--Jacob Desroches (Rsd) p. DJ Darnall (Clrk) 1:32; Ryan McNair (Chen) d. Dustin Divis (Colv) 3-2; Chris Davidson (Eph).
171--Gabe Hocum (Clrk) d. Nick Desroches (Rsd) 7-2; Kyle Whitney (DP) p. Nick Alverado (Top) :53; David Godinez (Pro). 189--Nick King (Clrk) d. Adam Morales (Gvw) 4-1; Hunter Orgill (Rsd) inj. def. Michael Reyes (Qui); Tanner Symons (Rsd); 6, Joey Gomez (Oth). 215--Ethan Grable (DP) d. Josh Cole (Ell) 6-5; DJ Hall (Colv) inj. def. AJ Gidrey (ML); Deion Ducksworth (Eph). 285--Shawn Burton (DP) p. Blake Nichols (Ell) 5:41; Brandon Moseley (Chen) p. Sid Breckenridge (Ell) 1:52; Devin Norland (Clrk).
1A SCAC Regional
CONNELL -- Warden ran away with the team title, outpacing second-place Zillah by nearly 100 points.
The Cougars won four individual titles: Robert Pruneda at 135, Lupe Landeros at 140, Dakota Scott at 171 and Tony Martinez at 215.
Team scores--Warden 261 1/2, Zillah 164, Connell 130 1/2, Granger 106 1/2, Royal 105, Mabton 85, River View 82, Naches Valley 52, Kiona-Benton 44, Columbia (Burbank) 42, Goldendale 41, Cle Elum-Roslyn 34 1/2, Wahluke 29, Highland 3.
Top 5 to state
103--Jonathan Salce (Gra) m.d. Hernan Serra (Con) 8-0; JP Martinez (War) d. Freddy Herrera (Con) 7-2; Javier Tapia (War). 112--Danny Barajas (Roy) p. Austin Hudson (Wah) 3:38; Travis Roos (KB) d. Carols Gomez (War) 6-5; Michael Ramsey (NV). 119--Samuel Salcedo (Gra) d. Skylor Davis (Zil) 7-4; Franky Jimenez (War) d. Jose Salcedo (Gra) 9-7; Matt McCallum (KB).
125--Trevor Morrison (Col) p. Jesse Guerra (War) 5:15; Eric Meza (Mab) m.d. Andy Campbell (KB) 12-0; Luis Aviles (Mab). 130--Chance Watt (RV) p. Chris Kalous (War) 1:06; Scott Henderson (War) d. Alex Gonzalez (Zil) 11-6; Chencho Lopez (Roy). 135--Robert Pruneda (War) m.d. Scott Sullivan (RV) 12-4; Gerardo Avitia (Con) t.f. Sam Suarez (War) 22-7; Tyler Slick (NV). 140--Lupe Landeros (War) m.d. Harris Garcia (Con) 17-6; Andy Rivera (Mab) d. Jaime Martinez (Gra) 8-7; Brenden Loyer (Cle).
145--Jacob Rae (Con) d. Zac Reisenauer (Col) 3-2; Rodney Treece (Zil) m.d. Kenny Sullivan (War) 10-0; Cody Chiles (Cle). 152--Chris Castillo (Zil) p. Braydon Ross (Gold) 3:35; Tanner Bates (RV) p. Chris Howell (KB) 2:36; Omar Ochoa (Zil). 160--Angel Ledezma (Roy) d. Chris Strawn 8-3; Kyle Kluever (Zil) d. Jose Gonzalez (War) 6-4; Humberto Morales (Gra).
171--Dakota Scott (War) d. Angelo Salinas (Mab) 6-5; Garrett Whitney (Con) d. Rafael Guzman (Zil) 4-0; Jonathan Monroe (Gold). 189--Kane Koerner (Zil) d. Isaac DeLeon (War) 14-8; Jake Thomas (Roy) m.d. Kurk Wilkins (Gold) 18-5; Enrique Baraja (Wah). 215--Nato Orozco (Con) m.d. Peter Almaguer (Gra) 11-2; Nathaniel Deardorff d. Logan Robert (NV) 4-2; Damien Marquez (Mab). 285--Tony Martinez (War) p. John Myers (Zil) 2:42; Jake Bartlett (Roy) d. Ashton Gottsch (NV) 2-1; TJ Houghton (Cle).
Girls Eastern Regionals
Connell
Top 2 advance to state
103--Sam Beckwith (RV) p. Armani Emmal (NV) 5:02. 112--Delene Rucker (KB) p. Lupita Mendez (Con) 3:52. 119--Chelseea Bailey (Chew) p. Candra Graham (Dav) 2:33. 125--Sandra Castoreno (War) p. Emily Juhre (CV) 2:16. 130--Melissa Orozco (Con) d. Amy Campell (KB) 6-5. 135--Sheridan McDonald (KB) p. Chelsea Robles (NV) 4:42. 140--Jessica Johnston (Che) p. Adrienne Anderson (Mwa) 5:53. 152--Carter Marks (War) p. Fatima Valencia (Dav) 8-4. 160--Alyssa Calhoon (WV) p. Genesis Gonzales (War) 3:36. 171--Araceli Cuevas (War) m.d. Jessica Bergman (RV) 10-1. 171-plus--Deidra Starret (Colf) p. Marissa Barrag (Con) 1:07.
