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53 °F Forecast | Road Cams Wednesday, February 11, 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 January 23, 2004 Eagles soar past North Medford By TIM PYLE Mail Tribune Everything that wasn’t a pin was Eagle Point’s Thursday night in Southern Oregon Conference wrestling. That helped the visiting Eagles pin a 44-18 defeat on North Medford in the Black Tornado gym. North did record three falls to Eagle Point’s two, but the Eagles, who improved to 3-2 in SOC duals, ruled the nine other matches. One of the night’s closest struggles came at 145 pounds, where EP’s Stephen Price tangled with the Tornado’s Josh Smith. Price — who was named outstanding wrestler as the Eagles claimed the team title at the 27-squad North Coast Classic in Eureka, Calif., last weekend — moved up from his normal 140-pound slot. Advertisement The senior quickly fell into a 2-0 hole against Smith before rallying for a 3-2 edge at the end of one period. Through two, Price held a 5-3 lead, and he recorded two takedowns in the final period to complete his 9-7 victory. "I just didn’t go out there with my head together," Price said. "After I got taken down, I came up with enough to win the match." A third-place finisher at the SOC meet a year ago and second-place performer as a 130-pound sophomore, Price has blossomed into perhaps EP’s best wrestler this winter. In addition to his North Coast Classic crown, he won his 140 class at the Rogue Valley Championships and took fifth at the prestigious Reno Tournament of Champions in December. That’s when Price turned the corner in Eagle Point head coach Brad McBee’s estimation, losing to the eventual champion in the first round, then winning seven straight matches to vault to a placing effort. "In that seven in a row, he was wrestling guys that were state placers and state champions," McBee said. "And he’s never even been a state placer. He really cleaned up and found out that, ‘Hey, if I don’t beat myself, it’s awful tough for those guys to beat me.’" In the past, Price had struggled with giving up "sloppy" points, McBee said, but he’s remedied that this season. Kacey McNulty, North’s head coach, chalked up Price’s victory over Smith, a sophomore, to experience. "It’s a senior versus a sophomore," McNulty said. "(Price) is just more mat savvy." The Tornado, which is winless in SOC duals, earned all its points by way of pins. Sophomore Jon Ulrey got freshman Donny Harvey in 4 minutes, 49 seconds at 112, sophomore Chris Platt needed just 1:00 to take care of senior Jason Rullamas at 152 and senior Rob Folsom disposed of junior Dennis Orvis in 3:07 at 160. "(Ulrey) is one of the kids that is pretty consistent in performance," McNulty said. "(Platt) is a tough kid, and he’s young, so we get to enjoy him for a couple more years." Youth is prominent for North, which sent off just three wrestlers in the varsity lineup and four overall on Thursday’s senior night. EP, on the other hand, filled half its lineup with seniors against the Tornado, and the more mature Eagles responded well. Sophomore Randy Pershall and senior Nick Smith posted EP’s two pins, with Pershall beating freshman Joey Marroletti at 119 in 3:49 and Smith dropping 215 opponent Tim Endecott in 59 seconds. Jake McCoy (125), Nick Alexander (130), Matthew Leonardo (135), Shane Kell (140), Kevin Miers (171), Justin Clark (189) and Tyler Cam (275) were also victorious for the Eagles. David Charlton (103) won by forfeit. "I was pretty pleased overall," McBee said. "I was happy with the intensity." 103 — David Charlton, EP, won by forfeit; 112 — Jon Ulrey, NM, pinned Donny Harvey, 4:49; 119 — Randy Pershall, EP, pinned Joey Marroletti, 3:49; 125 — Jake McCoy, EP, d. Sylvan Ulrey, 9-3; 130 — Nick Alexander, EP, d. Chris Oetinger, 2-0. 135 — Matthew Leonardo, EP, maj. dec. Henry Olsen, 14-5; 140 — Shane Kell, EP, d. Brad Barrows, 6-1; 145 — Stephen Price, EP, d. Josh Smith, 9-7; 152 — Chris Platt, NM, pinned Jason Rullamas, 1:00. 160 — Rob Folsom, NM, pinned Dennis Orvis, 3:07; 171 — Kevin Miers, EP, maj. dec. Corey Oxford, 14-6; 189 — Justin Clark, EP, d. Justin Stancliff, 8-2; *215 — Nick Smith, EP, pinned Tim Endecott, 0:59; 275 — Tyler Cam, EP, d. Johnny Vaigafa, 5-3. * — starting weight Reach reporter Tim Pyle at 776-4483 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