WP Wrestlers Compete at Sub-Regionals

RITZVILLE – The majority of WP grapplers wrapped up their season at the Feb. 7 Sub-regional meet in Ritzville. Only heavyweight Tristan Newman advances to Regionals after cleaning house in Ritzville. A first place at the Regional meet on Feb. 14 will send Newman on his third consecutive trip to the State wrestling tournament in Tacoma on Feb. 20-21.

132 lb. Devin Newman won three of five matches in Ritzville but fell to Dane Hall of Colfax by pin in 3:12 in the final match for 5th/6th standing. At 138 lbs. “Devin battled illness at the beginning of the season but really started to peak at Sub-regionals. He had some tough matches and wrestled smart and aggressively,” said Coach Lanny Adams.

At 138 lbs. David Just won his first match but dropped his next two, all by pin. “David has had a very good season. He had some tough competition but really expanded on his wrestling knowledge,” said Coach Lanny Adams.

145 lb. Dejay Lalka dropped two at the Ritzville meet but had an exceptional season to Lanning. “I don’t know where to start in recognizing his accomplishments. From his weight loss, to his increased strength, balance and self confidence; I’m very proud of Dejay and really admire his drive to improve,” said Adams. “He got his first career win this season (I don’t think he has removed his hat except to wrestle, shower and be in the classroom),” added Adams.

Heavyweight Tristan Newman entered the tournament and received a bye in the first round. “Tristan easily manhandled Simon Williams from NWC in his first match and pinned him at 1:05 in the first round,” said Adams. Newman then pinned Cody Perryman of Kettle Falls in :55 before facing longtime competitor Mark Dituri of Mary Walker who he pinned for a first place standing in 4:25. “Tristan wrestled hard against Dituri and controlled the whole match,” said Adams.

285 lb. Tyler Hoffman won his first match by pin. He lost his second match to Mark Dituri with Dituri winning by injury default. Adams said Hoffman was wrestling smart and staying with Dituri, his toughest competitor, when Dituri rolled his left ankle, earning Hoffman an injury default and bumping him into the consolation bracket. Hoffman lost by 2:33 pin in his third match. “Tyler had a tough season, weighing in at the bottom of his weight bracket and sometimes giving up 40-50 lbs to his opponents. Despite that, he remained focused and continued to improve,” said Adams.

Adams said he and Newman are focusing on next week’s Regional tournament at Northwest Christian School in Colbert, Washington. Wrestling starts at 11 a.m. on Feb. 14.