Four WP Wrestlers Advance to Regionals

WAITSBURG - Four WP Wrestlers placed high enough at last week's sub- regional tournament to ad­vance to regionals competi­tion. Tristan Newman, who has lost only two matches all season, took first place as League/District Champion. David Just placed fourth and Tyler Brooks and Tyler Hoff­man each placed sixth.

Sub-Regionals took place February 8 in Colfax. Par­ticipating teams included Waitsburg/Prescott, Almira/ Coulee/Hartline, Lind/Ritz­ville, Liberty, Colfax/Gar- Pal, Wilbur/Creston/Keller, Davenport, Reardan, Pome­roy and White Swan.

Tristan Newman (285): Pinned Heiko Burkle (Rear­dan) 3:58, pinned Layne Hawks (LRS) 1:10.

Newman has only two losses for the season - both to a wrestler from Joseph, Ore. "Tristan has had one heck of a year!" said Coach Lanny Adams. "He is wrestling very smart this year. He's studying his opponents and practicing new moves." Ad­ams said Newman is aware that, this late in the year, his opponents have been study­ing his wrestling and figured out some of his moves. "To counter that, Tristan has been practicing new moves. Saturday, he said he wanted to use a Leg Half - a move he's been practicing for some time now. Everything lined up and he executed the move flawlessly." Adams said that higher weight class wrestlers do not typically use a move like that "but anyone who knows Tristan knows he doesn't like to fol­low the norm." Adams thinks Newman has a good shot at finishing high at the State Tournament.

Tyler Hoffman (220): Pinned by Matt Vercoe (LRS) 3:00, pinned by Eric Sackett (Davenport) :20.

"Tyler didn't wrestle at the intensity level needed for this time of year," said Adams. "As a result, he's going into Regionals in the fifth seed position. Tyler is a young wrestler and I expect that with more time and ex­perience, we will be reading his name in the State Tourna­ment brackets."

EJ Oppelt-Rising Sun (195): pinned by Ray Comp­ton (Colfax) 1:01, pinned by Kevin Winder (Liberty) 1:55, pinned by Jacob Vogel (ACH) 2:17.

Adams said that first- year wrestler Oppelt was able to remain focused and undettered in tough matches against experienced wres­tlers.

Tyler Brooks ( 160): pinned by Nick James (Dav­enport) 1:47; pinned John Watlamet (White Swan) 4:11, pinned by Zach Hill (WCK) 4:46, lost by Deci­sion to Connor Nikkola (Reardon) 12-5.

"Tyler wrestled some tough matches, but unfortu­nately did not come out on the top of the pile. Tyler has a fight and desire in him that I wish all of the wrestlers would get. He puts up a fight all the way. He encoun­tered some very experienced and tough competitors. Ty­ler is a freshman in a very tough weight class wrestling against mostly juniors and seniors. He is gaining some valuable experience this year and will be a very tough contender next year," said Adams.

David Just (132): pinned by Kain Feltwell (2013 State Champion from Liberty) :29; pinned by Justis Ander­son (Reardon) 2:12.

Just faced returning state champion Kain Feltwell in his first match - a tough opponent well known for his ankle pick. Adams said Just's goal was not to get a takedown by Feltwell in the ankle pick. In his second match, Just faced Justis Anderson, an aggressive wrestler with the ability to anticipate moves and counter effectively. "David will have some tough competition next week. As long as he does not mentally defeat himself, he has a good chance to advance to the state competi­tion," said Adams.

The regional tournament will take place in Kittitas on Feb. 14 and Feb. 15. Wres­tling starts at 2 p.m. on Fri­day and 8 a.m. on Saturday.