Abraham Rodriguez
Senior, Hermiston
The Bulldogs wrestled their way to the top of the pack at the Reser’s Tournament of Champions in Hillsboro, Ore., ending Roseburg’s four-year reign.
Rodriguez was one of three individual champions for Hermiston, beating Douglas’ Elijah Taylor 10-0 in the 160-pound final.
“It was just like any other match,” said Rodriguez, who wrestled in five matches during the two-day tournament. “You walk out there expecting to win. You go out there and wrestle as hard as you can and see what happens.”
The defending 152-pound Oregon state champion believes good things are ahead for himself and his teammates, several of whom were ill during the Reser’s tournament.
“We’ve won everything that’s gotten in our way,” said Rodriguez, who this season has battled back from a separated shoulder and pulled groin. “You don’t let up. You finish the job. We already drew blood. You’ve just gotta move forward and finish what you already started. I think we can do that.”
Q’n’A
Favorite food: Enchiladas
Favorite nonsport activity: Horseback riding
Favorite athlete: Leo Messi
Most like to meet (living or dead): My grandfather
Sports highlight/memory: Being part of a great team this year
Favorite class: Science
Premeet ritual: I always like to clear my mind and not try to think about wrestling.
Must-have on the road: Running gear to cut weight
Favorite movie: Inception
Favorite TV show: Family Guy
Last book read (not for school): The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay
Best song on your iPod: Let the Drummer Kick by Citizen Cope
Career plans: Going to George Mason next year in hopes of earning a business degree. He hopes to start a ranch and run cattle.
Favorite gym: Hermiston
Best advice from current coach: “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” — Hermiston coach Shaun Williams
With $100 in a mall, where do you go?: Lids
Favorite restaurant: Chinese
Dream vacation: Hawaii
Favorite place: South Africa and Russia
Million dollars: Invest it in buying land to start a farm and ranch
Favorite animal: Horse
Why he wrestles: It challenges you in every aspect, not just in matches, but the practices, the weight cutting, the mental, the emotional.
Mikayla Ferenz
Sophomore, Walla Walla
Ferenz, who hit a late 3-pointer Friday night to help the Blue Devils defeat Richland and lock up a top-two seed in the District 5 tournament, is familiar with making big-time baskets.
While facing an Idaho squad in an AAU game, her twin sister, Kate, sank a long-range 3-pointer to send the game into overtime. Pretty soon, it was Mikayla’s turn to be the savior.
“We were down by two, and I hiked up this crazy shot, and it went in,” Ferenz said. “It was really exciting, and we won. It was awesome.”
Ferenz was happy to come through for Wa-Hi on Friday, but she was more proud of her effort the next night, when she scored 14 points in a 62-55 victory over Kamiakin.
“They’re really good, and it really hurt us when we lost to them big on the road,” said Ferenz, who is excited about how her team has improved over recent seasons.
“We have a lot of talent, and all the girls are really close,” she said. “We’ve finally been clicking as a team.”
Q’n’A
Favorite food: S’mores
Favorite athlete: Aaron Craft from Ohio State
Most like to meet (living or dead): Larry Bird
Favorite class: My dad would want me to say math because he’s a math teacher, but I’d have to say science.
Pregame ritual: We always sing to get ourselves pumped.
Must-have on the road: My pillow and blanket because all I do on the bus rides is sleep
Favorite movie: The Avengers
Favorite TV show: Pretty Little Liars
Last book you read (not for school): The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
What she’s been listening to lately: Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift
Career plans: Environmental science
Favorite gym: Whitman College (her mom, Michelle, is the women’s basketball head coach)
Best advice from coach: “Be confident.” — Her dad, Chris, an assistant for the Wa-Hi boys and Whitman women’s teams
With $100 in a mall, where do you go?: Champs or Foot Locker
Favorite restaurant: You can never go wrong with Red Robin.
Dream vacation: Australia. I want to see the Great Barrier Reef.
Favorite place: Oahu
Million dollars: Build a house and put a basketball gym in it.
Favorite animal: Giraffe
What she likes most about basketball: Definitely the competitiveness. I’ve always had great teammates, and it’s really fun.
