Lakeside Wrestling ~The Road To State~

Well, yet another flippin roller coaster ride of a wrestling week!  You know it’s not so much the winning or losing of a match that eats away at your stomach; it’s the stink’n anxiety leading up to it.  Oh, don’t get me wrong, I get a little angry when one of our wrestlers lose and I tend to show that outwardly, but the anxiety is a whole different monster.  Anyhow, back to the team.  Your team entered the regional tournament at Freeman High school with 11 expected wrestlers and we received a bonus when Ben McConnell entered at 152 lbs, unexpectedly.  Apparently, there was an opening and Ben was in the right place at the right time.  A Chewelah wrestler did not show up to the tournament (unsure of the reason why) which opened a spot for the 152 lb. alternate.  The alternates from both districts were not present, so Ben was next in line being the 7^th placer from our district.  Ben was there to watch and support our team, not planning to wrestle.  When asked to weigh-in, he stepped on the scale and was exactly on weight.  Next, he had to come up with the necessary items to wear, as he brought none of his own gear.  Thanks to Colton Talbott, who was there and ready as an alternate, Ben fit his singlet and shoe size perfectly.  This all had to be a God Thing!  Ben got the priceless experience of competing at yet another level of post-season wrestling.

Fifteen teams were competing in an 8 man bracket with the top 4 moving on to State competition.  Out of our 12 wrestlers, 9 of your team members are going to State.  Just a reminder, if they win their first 2 matches they are propelled into the Championship finals; if they lose one of the first 2, they have an uphill battle to get to the 3^rd and 4^th place match.  Here are the results:

106 lbs Jesse Woll went 0 and 2, but always competed hard and enjoyed the moment.

106 lbs Joe Adams won his first 2 and would be wrestling in the Championship match.

113 lbs Noah Ircink went 0 and 2, and also competed hard.

113 lbs Dalton Young won his first 2 and would wrestle in the Championship match.

120 lbs Cole Ahrendt went 3 and 1 and placed 3^rd, great job from the silent warrior!

126 lbs Hootie Judd won his first 2 and moved to the championship match.

132 lbs Klint Brown won his first 2 and would wrestle in the finals.

138 lbs Garrett Brown won his first 2, (2nd match was once again a nail-biter and went into quadruple overtime to decide the winner!)

152 lbs Ben McConnell went 0 and 2 and greatly contributed to the teams overall success throughout the year!

170 lbs Asher Clark went 3 and 2, placed 4^th and will represent Lakeside at State for his first and last time, as a Senior!

182 lbs Andrew King went 3 and 1, placed 3^rd, and will wrestle for his first time at State, also a Senior.

220 lbs Tim Jarrad told me earlier in the year he was “gonna wrestle his heart out to make it to State”.  Timmy went 3 and 2, placed 4^th, and fulfilled his commitment and will wrestle at State!

The finals were yet another anxiety monster that produced 2 first placers and 3 second placers.

 Joe Adams placed 2^nd.      Dalton Young placed 1^st.

Hootie Judd placed 1^st.      Klint Brown placed 2^nd.

Garrett Brown placed 2^nd.

Here is an interesting tidbit; 4 freshmen made it to State to represent Lakeside.  I’m not taking anything away from the other wrestlers, but the commitment that these athletes have at such a young age and their level of dedication to the sport of wrestling, is starting to pay dividends to the program.

Let us not forget the team’s female wrestler who also competed this weekend in Wahluke.  Akina Yamada battled her heart out for her team, for her family, and for herself with the hope of wrestling at State.  Akina placed 6^th, and for her, the season is over.  Hold your chin up and be proud.  I know you may have felt alone on your journey, but your team has silently supported you along your personal endeavor.

Your team departs for State competition on Thursday the 20^th at 0900 hours. There is a “send-off” assembly just prior to that at the high school gymnasium at 0730 hours.  All are welcome and everyone is invited and encouraged to attend.  Your team leaves with high expectations individually and as a team.  They will leave everything on the mat.  The four seniors we have going will leave it all on the mat while they cherish this week and their last account as they step onto the mats at the 26^th Annual Mat Classic.

Go Lakeside, never give up!

Source:

Kevin & Sheli Brown