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Click Here 48 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, February 26, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend February 7, 2004 Comets soar, Indians stumble at SOC district meet By DON HUNT Mail Tribune GRANTS PASS — If you’re going to slay the giant, you better bring every weapon in your arsenal. The Roseburg High wrestling team failed in that regard Friday during opening-day action of the Southern Oregon Conference district wrestling tournament at Grants Pass High. The second-ranked Indians entered the tournament with hopes of taking out the giant — top-ranked and defending state champion Crater — but got off to a dreadful start when Aaron Suggs, the No. 3 seed at 112 pounds, failed to make weight. The Comets would have claimed the first-day lead regardless of Roseburg’s early adversity, but now they’ve amassed a 24-point lead over the Indians and appear destined to win their 12th district title in 15 years under head coach Greg Haga. Heading into today’s 11 a.m. championship semifinal round, the Comets have 163 points compared to 139 for the Indians. Advertisement Host Grants Pass logged a strong first day to pile up 129.5 points. Eagle Point (98), North Medford (88.5), Klamath Union (48) and South Medford round out the field. "I’m hoping we’ve got some kids with heart who can make up for those lost points," Roseburg coach Steve Lander said. "But right now it doesn’t look good. "We haven’t done anything to overcome (Suggs failing to make weight). We haven’t pulled off any upsets, and that’s what you’ve got to do to beat a team like Crater." The Comets, who are seeking to set their table for the Class 4A state meet Feb. 19-21 in Portland while simultaneously winning district, advanced 13 competitors to today’s semifinal round. Their lone disappointment was a minor one — fourth-seeded Seth Bettencourt losing to unseeded Louis Herron of North Medford in a first-round match at 140. However, Bettencourt, a freshman, bounced back later in the day to win his first consolation bout. "The name of the game at district is to not mess up, and we haven’t," Haga said. "We’ve got 13 kids in the semifinals and a 24- point lead. There’s still a long way to go, but so far we’ve taken care of business." Haga was most pleased with a couple of his obscure grapplers — senior Mike Paxson and sophomore Nick Grabowski. Paxson, 152, pinned South Medford’s Joey Winters and then got pinned by Chris Platt, but finished his day by pinning Klamath Union’s Tanner Lancaster in consolation action. Grabowski, 215, was pinned by Eagle Point’s Nick Smith in 13 seconds in the championship quarterfinal round, but he also fought back in the consolation bracket, earning a 5-2 victory over Grants Pass’ Jake Dean. "Our kids know the importance of winning in the consolation rounds," Haga said. "Those two (Paxson and Grabowski) went out there and wrestled hard." Roseburg, meanwhile, advanced 10 to the semifinal round while Eagle Point and Grants Pass qualified eight each. The Indians were in danger of suffering another setback Friday when Jake Spears, seeded third at 130, trailed fifth-seeded Nick Alexander of Eagle Point 6-1 in the second round. But Spears, a feisty sophomore, dominated the third round and registered a fall with 32 seconds left in the match. "I got out of position in the first round, and he took me down and got two near falls," Spears said. "But I’ve beaten him three times before, and I knew if I kept going I’d wear him out. "It was a little scary, though." One of the day’s biggest upsets came at 135, where sixth-seeded freshman Tanner Marval of Grants Pass pinned third-seeded senior Matt Leonardo of Eagle Point. "I had him in a head-and-arm and then pinned him with a pancake hold," said Marvel, who was cheered on by a spirited group of Grants Pass High students who were stationed just above him. North Medford coach Kacey McNulty was pleased but not surprised that eight of his grapplers made the semifinal round. Senior standout Rob Folsom, 160, led the way by pinning both his opponents to run his season record to 30-0. "I think all eight of those kids have a shot at making it to state," McNulty said. "We’re a pretty solid tournament team. We’re about where I thought we’d be." And so are the Comets, the SOC giant that continues to have a stranglehold on the district meet. Reach reporter Don Hunt at 776-4469, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times