Cardinal wrestlers notch another league win heading into districts

MEDICAL LAKE — The Cardinal wrestling team earned another Northeast A League win against Lakeside, then went through the grinder in two regional tournaments in the past week as they head into their final dual tomorrow.

Saying the team’s 46-34 win over Lakeside at their Thursday, Jan. 23 dual “was huge for us,” head coach Matt Leenhouts and his crew of grapplers have their sights set on Deer Park and the NEA title tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 31, as they continue their march to the state playoffs.

Wrestling in the 152-weight class, Victor Long, ranked third in the 1A according to Washington Wrestling Report, pinned Eagle Tyler Howie in 5:05, while Nate Stevens, ranked 11th in 1A, earned a 14-6 major decision (MD) at 160.

Cardinal Jarod Pendell, ranked fifth in the 1A, pinned Ian Hendershott at 182 in 2:34, and in the 220-heavyweight category, Gavin Chaffee pinned Eagle Anthony Hammond in 2:39.

Cardinal Aden Carl, ranked second overall in the 120 weight class in the 1A, pinned Derek Dunlop in 3:25, and Alex Gonzalez, ranked seventh overall in the 1A at 132, made quick work of Travis Simpson, pinning the Eagle in 21 seconds.

Cardinals Brandon Giles lost in an major decision 11-2 at 145, while Jonathon Gralapp wrestling at 195 was pinned in 13 seconds, Angel Mendez at 106 was pinned in 1:31, Benjamin Henry at 113 in 5:29, while Isaac Kane wrestling at 126 was pinned in 0:49, with Jon Anderson pinned in 5:05.

Forfeits went to 1A top-ranked Ethan Davis at 170 and Colton Ellis at 285.

Then it was off to the Spokane Convention Center for the Rumble at the River, where the Cardinals took eighth out of the 26 teams who attended.

Henry fought and won first in the 113-weight class in an 11-3 major decision over Lakeside’s Keegan Roach. At 120, Isaiah Giles worked his way through the bracket to a third-place finish and and Kane a fourth.

Gonzalez earned a third-place in the 132-weight class with a pin in 1:10. Chris Garza settled for third after a hard-fought 7-6 loss for second place at 145 in the final round.

In a separate 145 bracket, Vincent Long took third with a 2:45 pin, while Eli Trout was pinned in the third round in yet a third 145 bracket.

At 152, Xander Black took third after a 1:14 pin of his opponent, and Isaac Blevin lost his bid for first place after being pinned.

Chaffee also lost his bid for first when he was pinned at 220, settling for second place, and Colton Ellis had to take a fourth-place finish after forfeiting in the final round in the 285 class.

In the girl’s 110 – 115 weight class, Haili Threadgill lost her bid for first place in a 14-1 major decision.

Then it was the Washington Dream Duals the next day, again at the Spokane Convention Center, where Medical Lake took ninth overall in their pool of competitors, beating Freeman 48-34 but losing to Forks 45-34, Royal 45-30, Tonasket 58-20, and ultimately taking on and beating Warden in the placement matches 39-36 for to capture the ninth-place slot.

The Cardinals were scheduled for two more Northeast A League road duals — Newport on Tuesday, Jan. 28, then Deer Park tonight with varsity wrestlers under the spotlight beginning at 7 p.m. A win will give the Cardinals the NEA league title.

Then it’s off to districts on Feb. 7 – 8 with the girls heading to Liberty High School and boys to Freeman, followed by regionals on Thursday, Feb. 15 and state at the Tacoma Dome on Feb. 21 – 22.

Lee Hughes can be reached at [email protected].