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Roseburg grabs early lead at district meet By Kris Henry CENTRAL POINT � If there is one inescapable thing about high school athletics, it�s that you only get a finite number of chances at being No. 1. Whether as an individual or in a team format, each passing season below that level is another opportunity lost. Few know that feeling as well as Eagle Point junior Tyson Nelson, who is competing this weekend in the SOC DISTRICT MEET RECAP: Roseburg has a 121/2-point lead over Crater after the first day of action, 186 to 1731/2, while Eagle Point stands third at 148 points in the Southern Oregon Conference district wrestling tournament at Crater High. TODAY'S SCHEDULE: Championship semifinals open today's action at 11 a.m., with placing matches at 2:30 p.m. After a break to clear the gym, the doors will be re-opened at 5 p.m. for the championship finals, which are slated to begin at 5:45. AT STAKE: The top three placers in each weight class advance to the state tournament Feb. 21-23 at the Memorial Coliseum in Portland. Southern Oregon Conference wrestling championships at Crater High School. The district tournament began Friday, with Roseburg taking the early lead on Crater and Eagle Point. The meet concludes today. Last year, as the No. 1 seed at 160 pounds, Nelson entered Day 2 of district with visions of a state berth dancing through his head. Breezing to an 8-2 lead in the morning semifinal of the championship bracket, Nelson had his world seemingly come crashing down after a freak mishap left him writhing in pain on the mat. In a scramble with Rob Swearingen of South Medford, Nelson stood up but suddenly found his body going one way while his leg went the other as it got caught between Swearingen�s legs. "Right there I was just in shock and I knew I was done," said Nelson. With the pain and the stunning turn in developments, Nelson was forced to pull out of the match � allowing Swearingen a spot in the championship finals and automatic berth to the state tournament. Nelson luckily suffered only minor cartilage damage in his knee, allowing him to escape surgery in exchange for a little rest and exercises to strengthen his knee. What he couldn�t escape, however, was the notion that a state berth had slipped out of his grasp for the second straight year. "Last year it sucked sitting there watching and knowing I could have been a district champion and could have given my team more points," said Nelson. "Who knows what could have happened, but that�s all in the past. You have to take care of what comes at you now." Flash forward to this season and Nelson is back in high gear, earning the No. 1 seed at 171 pounds and, with Friday�s pin of Josh Phillips from Crater, another berth in the championship semifinals. "There�s a reason for everything," explained Nelson, 16. "I just try to look at it in a positive way. There�s a reason why that happened and why I didn�t go to state my first two years. Something good is going to come out of that." Eagle Point coach Brad McBee hopes the lesson Nelson had to learn the hard way won�t be overlooked by his teammates this year. "You don�t get any do-overs," said the third-year coach. "Once you become a junior, you�re running out of time. "It doesn�t matter what you do your whole career, if you don�t get it done at the district tournament, then you�re obviously not going to get it done at the state tournament. And the way it is, you�re graded on your career by what you did at the state level." Nelson has returned from his injury a different wrestler, but for the better. "If you want to be a big-time player, you have to step up in big-time meets, and he has done a good job of that," said McBee. "He�s always had the athleticism, but his skills have gotten better and his mental toughness has been his biggest stride. You like to see that because he�s a great kid and he works hard in the practice room." Mental toughness will most certainly be on display in today�s final rounds. The host Comets enter the day in striking distance of their sixth straight district title and 11th in 13 years, trailing only Roseburg by 12� points � 186 to 173�. Eagle Point is third at 148, followed by South Medford (73), Grants Pass (58�), Klamath Union (55), North Medford (17�) and Ashland (11). "Considering we were giving up 10 extra matches to Roseburg in the first round today, everything went pretty well for us," said Crater coach Greg Haga. "It�s going to be a tournament where we�re going to have to pull it out to win. We knew going in we weren�t going to lead from the first round to the last round." While most matches held true to form, the Comets were able to pull off a few surprises as junior varsity wrestlers Brandon Rauls (215) and Taylor Wilkerson (275) each knocked off a No. 3 seed. Rauls edged KU�s Dominic Rodriguez, 5-3, while Wilkerson was awarded an injury default over Eagle Point�s Nick Smith. The Eagles suffered another setback when No. 3 seed Nick Alexander was sent to the consolation bracket after being upset 7-4 by Chris Hotch from Grants Pass. "We lost a couple matches we didn�t expect to lose," said McBee, "but there�s a lot of points out there (today) with the backdoor guys coming in and a lot of championship-side points. "We�re going to have to try and do it out the front. We need to get one or two guys in the finals that aren�t really favored to do it." Roseburg�s prime weapon against the depth of Crater and Eagle Point will be in the championship bracket, with the Indians showing signs of dominance in Friday�s opening rounds. "I think we did our best to take advantage of our first-round matches," said first-year Roseburg coach Steve Lander. "Those first two rounds (today) are going to be real big rounds. Hopefully we can do our part of the job then so the kids later in the day (in championship finals) can just go out for themselves and not have to think about the team." While team thoughts will be echoing through each wrestler�s mind today, so should the lesson provided by Nelson to seize the day. "(Today�s) going to be a tough day," said Nelson, "but I�m looking forward to it. I�m ready to give it all I�ve got and hope I don�t get hurt. Hopefully, something good comes out of this year." There�s no time like the present. TEAM SCORES - Roseburg 186, Crater 173.5, Eagle Point 148, South Medford 73, Grants Pass 58.5, Klamath Union 55, North Medford 17.5, Ashland 11. CHAMPIONSHIP BRACKET FIRST ROUND 103 - Bryson Gutches, Cra, pinned Geoff Brabham, NM, :09; Joe Brandsness, KU, pinned Travis Smith, Ros, 1:06; Trevor Lofstedt, Ros, pinned Richard Pearson, Ash, 1:12. 112 - Tyler Stewart, GP, dec. Farley Holden, EP, 11-8; Kevin Beavers, Ros, pinned Bryan Dollarhide, NM, :31. 119 - Joey Lewis, EP, pinned Chris Oetinger, NM, :59; Brian Stallsworth, Cra, pinned Josh Smith, Ash, 1:11; Ian Rasmussen, SM, pinned Patrick Brislan, Ros, 1:55; Cody Ponder, Cra, pinned Chris Helman, SM, :59; J.P. Peckham, Ros, pinned Andrew Beger, KU, :34. 125 - Andrew Larsen, EP, pinned Seth Hernandez, SM, :37; Art Maldonado, Ros, pinned Aaron Beeger, KU, 3:50; Kris Armstrong, KU, pinned Travis Harvey, SM, 1:15; David Avakian, EP, dec. Jon Penney, NM, 12-2. 130 - Brock Olsen, EP, pinned Chris Sandoe, KU, 2:29; Mark Haner, Ros, pinned Josh Firth, Ash, 2:45; Justin Wylan, GP, dec. Dean Limb, KU, 9-5. 135 - Jeremy McLaughlin, Cra, pinned Mason Orlow, KU, :50; Jeremy Jones, Ros, pinned Mike Pacheco, SM, :40; Kyle Marci, Cra, dec. Shane Kell, EP, inj. default; Jay Ryan, SM, dec. Nathan Marshall, Ash; Roland Chambers, GP, pinned Dana Sword, NM, 3:43. 140 - Daniel Rullamas, EP, pinned Jon Lang, SM, 1:30; Jason Rullamas, EP, pinned Matt Swisher, KU, :58. 145 - Matt Jacobson, Ros, tech. fall over Kyle Wells, NM, 19-4; Morgan Edenstrom, EP, dec. Aaron Thompson, Ros. 152 - Joel Oiler, Ros, pinned Alex Brummer, :55; Clayton Tankersly, Cra, dec. Josh Meyer, EP, 10-4; Trevor Knight, GP, pinned Casey Hendler, Ash, :57; Ron Lee, Cra, pinned Nick Ajello, :38; Shane Krische, SM, pinned J.D. Haer, GP, 5:20; Jason Adams, EP, pinned Kevin Thornton, KU, 2:35. 160 - Rob Folsom, NM, tech. fall over Brett Stapleton, GP, 15-0; Nick Jacobson, Ros, pinned Pat Hains, KU, :54; Nick Shaffer, Ros, pinned Mike Tucker, Ash, 1:32; Victor Shelton, EP, dec. Kyle O'Shea, SM, 15-5. 171 - Josh Osborne, Ros, pinned Josh Irby, NM, 1:22; Kevin O'Shea, SM, pinned Jacob Sarver, NM, :25; Aaron Croxford, KU, dec. Kevin Miers, EP; Alex Beale, Ros, dec. Zane Yarnell, Cra, 6-3. 189 - Levi Thomas, Ros, pinned Ben Chew, Ash, :12; Robert Kincaid, KU, pinned Frank Clifton, NM, 1:22; Cuauhtemoc Gomez, Ros, pinned David Valiente, NM, :42; Jake Phillips, EP, pinned Jordan Fisher, SM, 1:28. 215 - Cody Parker, Ros, pinned Randy Lloyd, EP, 1:47; Jacob Cole, Cra, dec. Denver Lancaster, KU, 5-3; Dominic Rodriguez, KU, pinned Robbie Konjeczny, 2:22; Juan Knapp, EP, pinned Evan Caddock, Ros, 5:49. 275 - Chris Dearmon, Cra, pinned Dan Navarro, NM, :42; David Folsom, Ros, dec. Joe Ramirez, SM, 4-1; Tim Swink, GP, pinned Aric Hawkins, :25. SECOND ROUND 103 - Gutches, Cra, pinned Andrew Hooke, EP, :42; Baker, GP, dec. Brandsness, KU, 5-0; Chris Hotch, GP, dec. Nick Alexander, GP, 7-4; Lofstedt, Ros, pinned Adam Haldorson, SM, 5:07. 112 - Justin Sheile, EP, pinned Mike Cortez, SM, :31; Jeremy Firestone, Cra, pinned John Vickoren, GP, 1:50; Dean Cornelison, KU, pinned Stewart, GP, 2:53; Beavers, Ros, tech. fall Deboer, 15-0. 119 - Lewis, EP, tech. fall Chad Warner, EP, 19-4; Rasmussen, SM, dec. Stallsworth, Cra, 20-8; Ponder, Cra, pinned Matt Leonardo, EP, 3:59; Peckham, Ros, pinned Sylvan Ulrey, NM, 1:32. 125 - Larsen, EP, dec. Maldonado, Ros, 8-4; Zack Steddum, GP, dec. Clancy Finchum, Cra, 4-0; Jason Licato, Cra, dec. Armstrong, KU, 12-8; Brian Walker, Ros, pinned David Avakian, EP, 3:15. 130 - Nate Gipson, Cra, pinned Olsen, EP, :55; Tyler Spears, Ros, dec. Erik Sedivy, GP, 11-1; Chase Maloney, Cra, won by inj. default over Haner, Ros.; Price, EP, pinned Wylan, 1:48. 135 - McLaughlin, Cra, pinned Galen Sincerny, Ash, :45; Jacob Leonardo, EP, pinned Jones, Ros, 3:03; Marci, Cra, pinned Ryan, SM, :33; Seth Thomas, Ros, dec. Chambers, GP, 8-2. 140 - Josh King, Cra, pinned Bobby Lybarger, Ros, :46; D. Rullamas, EP, dec. Josh Groat, KU, 8-7; Isaac Herbert, Ros, dec. J. Rullamas, EP, 10-7; Josh Wilder, Cra, dec. Dan Swift, SM, 11-3. 145 - Rudy Ramirez, Cra, pinned Alex Golden, SM, 1:07; M. Jacobson, Ros, dec. Robbie Johnston, EP, 9-5; Jimmy Urley, NM, dec. Jordan Godley, NM, 5-1; Edenstrom, EP, tech. fall over David Jacobson-Fried, Ash, 16-1. 152 - Oliver, Ros, pinned Tankersly, Cra, 3:42; Knight, GP, pinned Steve Bitzer, KU, 1:54; Lee, Cra, pinned Austin Shoptaw, Ros, 1:56; Adams, EP, pinned Krische, SM, :45. 160 - Folsom, NM, pinned Charles Cunningham, Cra, 4:21; Christian Mannenbach, EP, d. N. Jacobson, Ros, 4-0; Shaffer, Ros, dec. Shane Ivie, KU, 16-4; Shelton, EP, dec. Corey Oxford, Cra, 15-3. 171 - Tyson Nelson, EP, pinned Josh Phillips, Cra, 1:50; Osborne, Ros, dec. Brian Mahoney, KU, 6-0; Kevin O'Shea, SM, pinned Croxford, KU, :42; Brian Alves, GP, dec. Alex Beale, GP, 23-8. 189 - Cuauhtemoc Gomez, Ros, dec. Andy Ditty, GP, 11-6; Phillips, EP, pinned James Gray, KU, 1:03. 215 - Parker, Ros, won by inj. default over Rick Webb, GP; Vandagrift, SM, pinned Cole, Cra, 1:59; Brandon Rauls, Cra, dec. Rodriguez, KU, 5-3; McCormack, Ash, pinned Knapp, 3:09. 275 - Dearmon, Cra, pinned Jesse Rodriguez, GP, :57; Folsom, Ros, pinned Jim Johnson, KU, 4:22; Taylor Wilkerson, Cra, won by inj. default over Nick Smith, EP; Justin Troxel, Ros, pinned Tim Swink, GP, :53. CONSOLATION BRACKET SECOND ROUND 103 - Joe Brandsness, KU, pinned Geoff Brabham, NM, :23; Andrew Hooke, EP, dec. Travis Smith, Ros, 20-12; Adam Haldorson, SM, bye; Nick Alexander, EP, pinned Richard Pearson, Ash, :34. 112 - John Vickoren, GP, bye; Mike Cortez, SM, won by forfeit; Jerry DeBoer, SM, pinned Farley Holden, EP, 1:45; Tyler Stewart, GP, pinned Bryan Dollarhide, NM, 4:57. 119 - Brian Stallsworth, Cra, won by tech fall over Chris Oetinger, NM; Josh Smith, Ash, dec. Chad Warner, KU, 6-2; Sylvan Ulrey, NM, pinned Chris Helman, SM, 1:36; Matt Leonard, EP, pinned Andrew Beger, KU, 5:40. 125 - Seth Hernandez, SM, dec. Clancy Finchum, Cra, 9-1; Art Maldonado, Ros, dec. Aaron Beger, KU, 9-4; Travis Harvey, SM, pinned David Avakian, EP, 1:24; Kris Armstrong, KU, dec. Jon Penney, NM, 7-0. 130 - Erik Sedivy, GP, pinned Chris Sandoe, KU, 1:30; Brock Olsen, EP, won by forfeit; Justin Wylan, GP, won by tech fall over Josh Firth, Ash; Mark Haner, Ros, dec. Dean Limb, KU, 19-1. 135 - Jeremy Jones, Ros, tech fall over Mason Orlow, KU; Mike Pacheco, SM, pinned Galen Sincerny, Ash, 3:51; Shane Kell, EP, dec. Roland Chambers, GP, 9-1; Jay Ryan, SM, dec. Dana Sword, NM, 16-7. 140 - Josh Groat, KU, bye; Jon Lang, SM, pinned Bobby Lybarger, Ros, 1:49; Dan Swift, SM, pinned Matt Swisher, KU, :35; Jason Rullamas, EP, bye. 145 - Robbie Johnston, EP, bye; Kyle Wells, NM, pinned Alex Golden, SM, :23; David Jacobson-Fried, Ash, bye; Jordan Godley, Cra, pinned Aaron Thompson, Ros, 1:50. 152 - Steve Bitzer, KU, dec. Josh Meyer, EP, 10-6; Clayton Tankersly, Cra, pinned Casey Hendler, Ash, 1:28; Nick Aiello, NM, pinned Shane Krische, SM, 3:03; Austin Shoptaw, Ros, pinned Kevin Thornton, KU, 5:38. 160 - Nick Jacobson, Ros, pinned Brett Stapleton, GP, :39; Charles Cunningham, Cra, pinned Pat Hains, KU, 1:35; Corey Oxford, Cra, pinned Mike Tucker, Ash, 1:19; Kyle O'Shea, SM, pinned, Shane Ivie, 4:52. 171 - Brian Mahoney, KU, dec. Kevin Miers, EP, 8-2; Josh Phillips, Cra, pinned Josh Irby, NM, :42; Alex Beale, Ros, pinned Jacob Sarver, NM, 5:18; Zane Yarnell, Cra, dec. Aaron Croxford, KU, 7-6. 189 - Randy Stepp, EP, pinned Ben Chew, Ash, :47; Shane Smith, GP, pinned Frank Clifton, 2:22; James Gray, KU, pinned David Valiente, NM, 3:03; Jordan Fisher, SM, won by disqualification over Andy Ditty, GP. 215 - Jacob Cole, Cra, dec. Randy Lloyd, EP, 10-0; Rick Webb, GP, pinned Denver Lancaster, KU, :25; Juan Knapp, EP, dec. Robbie Konieczry, GP, 3-0; Dominic Rodriguez, KU, pinned Evan Craddock, Ros, 2:39. 275 - Jim Johnson, KU, pinned Dan Navarro, NM, 1:19; Joe Ramirez, SM, pinned Jesse Rodriguez, GP, 2:35; Tim Swink, GP, bye; Nick Smith, EP, pinned Aric Hawkins, NM, :43. Reach reporter Kris Henry at 776-4488, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.