Document text
Click Here 43 °F Forecast | Road Cams Friday, January 30, 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 20, 2003 Crater chases its fifth state title in the Class 4A tournament starting today By DON HUNT Mail Tribune The wise, the wily and the wary wouldn’t bet against the Crater Comets at the Class 4A state wrestling tournament. The Comets have had another banner season under 15-year head coach Greg Haga and they’d like nothing better than to cap it off with the school’s fifth state championship. Crater will take a dozen battle-tested warriors to the tournament, which kicks off at 10 a.m. today at Portland’s Memorial Coliseum and runs through Saturday. Veteran coach Greg Haga is proud of what his team has accomplished this season: A district title, an unbeaten dual meet record in the Southern Oregon Conference and championship showings at the Rogue Valley Classic, the Hillsboro Tournament of Champions and the Crater Classic, not to mention a runner-up finish at the prestigious Clovis Shootout in Fresno, Calif. Not surprisingly, the Comets head to the state tourney No. 1 in both the tournament and dual meet rankings. It’s difficult to perceive the Comets as anything but the favorite, but Haga’s No. 1 goal is the same as always: Come home with a trophy (top four). "If you’re in the hunt for a trophy, then you’re in the hunt for a title," says Haga, whose Comets won state championships in 1998, 1999 and 2000 before taking second and fourth the past two years. "I want us to be in the hunt every year. To me, that’s not pressure, that’s pleasure." Eagle Point (5), Roseburg (9) and Grants Pass (10) are also ranked in the top 10 and, with strong performances, could grab a trophy of their own. The Comets are paced by defending state champion Bryson Gutches (119 pounds, 33-3 record, No. 1 state ranking); Nate Gipson (130, 34-4, No. 2); Chase Maloney (135, 32-4, No. 4); and Jeremy McLaughlin (140, 34-2, No. 2). Out of those four, Maloney is the only one to lose a match in Oregon, and that was a one-pointer to No. 2-ranked Lucas Hambleton of Canby. Maloney, a sophomore who failed to place at the state tournament last year, is quite possibly the most improved Crater wrestler from a year ago. "He (Maloney) isn’t making the mistakes that he made last year," Haga says. "He has a fearless, relentless attack, but now he’s wrestling smarter. "Hopefully, he can get another chance at Hambleton in the semifinals and wrestle a little smarter." McLaughlin is in a tough 140-pound weight class that features defending 135-pound state champion Sean Santana of McNary, but Haga likes the chances of his unflagging senior, whose only two losses came at the Reno Tournament of Champions, which features many of the nation’s premier high school wrestlers. Gipson is seeking to become a three-time state placer and his chances for an individual title could be helped by a knee injury to No. 1-ranked Mark Bradley of Newberg. Bradley tore an ACL earlier this season. Gutches, who like Gipson and McLaughlin is unbeaten in Oregon, is the favorite at 119. He defeated No. 2-ranked Matt Burns of Barlow, 7-1, earlier this season. Haga also has high hopes for 152-pound sophomore Ron Lee and junior heavyweight Taylor Wilkerson. Lee placed sixth last year as a freshman while Wilkerson nearly knocked off top-ranked Justin Troxel at last week’s district meet. Wilkerson had a 1-0 lead in the final seconds of regulation before Troxel tied the match and then won, 3-1, in overtime. "Lee has a history of turning it on at the right time," Haga says. "He’s in a very tough weight class but he’ll win his share of matches." The rest of the Comet contingent consists of Tyler Weathers (103), Jeremy Firestone (112), Josh Stratton (130), Clayton Tankersly (145), Cody Clark (171) and Brandon Rauls (215). Tankersly, who has been on the mats for just two years, scored a 10-1 victory over North Medford freshman Chris Platt in the 145-pound district final. Newberg is considered the top threat to knock off the Comets, with Hermiston, Pendleton, Marshfield, Roseburg and Eagle Point also expected to be in the running. The Indians had a somewhat disappointing district meet but still qualified 10 wrestlers to the state meet, including Troxel and top-ranked 103-pound Trevor Lofstedt. "All 10 kids we’re taking are capable of placing," Roseburg coach Steve Lander says, "but the bottom line is, they’ve got to perform for three days." Lander considers Crater the favorite, with Newberg a close second. "Then there’s a bunch of other teams who could be in the hunt, and hopefully we’re one of them," he says. Eagle Point advanced nine to the tournament, including district champions Jake McCoy (112) and Tyson Nelson (171), who returns as a state champion. Both are ranked second in their respective weight classes. North Medford will take four grapplers to Portland and should get strong showings from third-ranked Jimmy Ulrey at 152 pounds and second-ranked Rob Folsom at 160. 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