Joe Adams Takes First Place Gold at Crusader Invite

COLBERT, Wash. – Six Waitsburg wrestlers and one Dayton wrestler traveled to Northwest Christian Schools in Colbert, just north of Spokane, for the Crusader Invite tournament on Saturday. Three Cardinal wrestlers placed, including Joe Adams, who came away with first place in his weight class.

Wrestling in the 182-pound class, Joe Adams took on Josh Lemon, of Rogers, and won by pin at 1:02. "Joe got the takedown and was able to control him," said coach Lanny Adams. "Joe settled in, turned him and got the pin."

In the gold medal match, Joe faced Ricky Gutierrez, also of Rogers, and pinned Gutierrez at 41 seconds in. "Great Job for Joe, he brings home the gold!" Lanny Adams said.

In the 285-pound class, Tyler Hoffman faced Dylan Crump of Rogers and was pinned at 3:07. "Tyler had Crump on his back but was not able to maintain his hold on him," Coach Adams said.

Versus Al Juris, of East Valley, Hoffman won by pin at 2:30. "Tyler had beautiful outside single leg shot. He controlled the first round," said Coach Adams. "At the beginning of the second round, Tyler was on the bottom. He got a reversal and turned Juris for the pin."

In the match for third place, Hoffman faced David Azar of Mt. Spokane. Hoffman pinned Azar at 2:42, for the bronze.

In the 160-pound class, Ky Adams beat Davenport's Bailey Hunton by decision, 15-5. "Ky controlled Hunton by taking him down, riding for a awhile before cutting him loose and taking him back down again."

Versus Sammy DesRoches, of Riverside, Ky Adams lost by decision, 7-4. Adams then faced Jacob Mitchell, of Almira/Coulee/Hartline, and won by pin at 1:22.

In his final match, Ky Adams took on Glenn Johnson, of Liberty. Johnson won by decision 5-2. "Ky would attempt a move, but Johnson was able to counter it," Coach Adams said. "Well fought match. Ky placed fourth."

In the 138-pound class, David Just took on Kenneth Jones, of Rogers, and won by pin at 3:02. "David had a nice shot and got the first takedown," Coach Adams said. "David started on the bottom in round two. Did a nice reversal and ended up turning Jones and getting the pin."

Just then faced Graham Rocha, of NW Christian, and was pinned at 2:42. Next, Just took on Ry Strozyk, of Wilbur/Creston/Keller, and got the pin at 25 seconds in.

In his final match, Just lost by decision to Wyatt Weidmer, of East Valley, 13-8.

Wrestling for Dayton in the 145-pound class, Josh Hartwell won his first match by pin, at 4:28, against Bailey Lamb, of Mt. Spokane. "Josh shot and got the first takedown. He controlled the entire match," said Coach Adams.

Next, versus Gunner Hildebrandt, of Republic, Hartwell lost by pin at 5:13. Hartwell then took on Garrett Baump, of Liberty, and got the pin at 2:45.

Hartwell was pinned in his final match by Bodey Bedow, of East Valley, at 3:28.

"Josh has a lot of fight in him. He is really starting to come on," said coach Adams of the team's only Bulldog wrestler. "He listens well and keeps on going."

Wrestling in the 152-pound class, Devin Newman was pinned in his first match by Garrett Rogers, of Liberty, at 1:20. Newman pinned his next opponent, Randy Ewert, of Newport, at 3:15.

"Devin came back after his first loss with an appetite to win," said Coach Adams. "He controlled the match. He got a little high a couple of times ... but Devin was able to turn it around and regain his control."

Newman pinned his next opponent, Parker Zappone, of Wilbur/Creston/Keller, at 0:54. "Devin wanted this match and it showed," Adams said. "He took charge and put Zappone on his back. Good match."

Newman lost his final match, against Tanner Pierce, of Mt. Spokane, by pin at 0:49. "Good tournament for Devin," Adams said.

Also wrestling at 152 pounds, DeJay Meyer was pinned in his first match by Sam Nelson, of Liberty, at 1:01. He was pinned in his second match by Devonte Johnson, of Rogers, at 0:23.

"DeJay gave it a good try today. Tough Wrestlers for him," Adams said.

Waitsburg travels to Kittitas on Saturday for their next tournament.