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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 7, 2017)
10 schools december7 2017 VHS Winter Sports Preview Wrestling – The Loggers are the defending District Champi- ons and look like they have a very good shot at repeating this season. Head Coach Chris Barnes has a deep line up that is loaded with experience and tal- ent, along with a solid group of up and coming young wrestlers. Early in the preseason, Barnes had 25 wrestlers show- ing up for practice. He ap- peared thrilled with the large turnout and what that says about his growing program, the inter- est locally in the sport, and the potential for a really rewarding season for his competitors and Logger fans. “It’s exciting because the first year I coached I think we finished the District Tournament with just nine kids,” says Barnes. “Last year we finished with 18. A lot has changes in five years. We have a girls team now, we won a District Title, and we have tough wrestlers in al- most every weight class. We have a kids club with over 30 wrestlers and a good middle school program. We’ve received great support from the community and local businesses for our fundraising pro- grams, especially our 24 hour workout challenge each summer. We have four individual returning District Champions and a bunch of other kids that placed at District. And we have several returning wrestlers who went to State last year. So, yes, I’m excited!” For Barnes, there is really just one piece missing – more fans. “We have almost no fan base in this town, James Watson which is sad because it’s a good team,” says Barnes. “As a coach, it’s embar- rassing for me to look up in the stands and see that our opponents bring more fans than we have. We have a lot of kids in the program and I would like to see more parents show up, and others from the community. We’re going to be a fun team to watch this year. We pin a lot of our opponents, which is fun for the fans. These kids work hard and they deserve to get some recognition.” Leading the way for the Loggers will be returning District Champions Storm Henson, Kailia Jackson, Mekhi Williams, and Elijah Bozied. Senior Henson, who had to withdraw from the State Tournament last year after suffering a knee injury, is back and looks to be a favorite to repeat as District Champion at 160 pounds. “Storm is a strong team leader and he’s really starting to ‘flow wrestle,’ where he’s doing things before he even realizes it’s happening himself,” says Barnes. “He’s countering, and moving, and working with him on his technique and covering really well. I’m excited strategy,” says Barnes. “Nick Bennett is to see how far he can go this year.” tough and has continued to improve each Jackson had the distinction year of his career,” says Barnes. last year of being the first female Jacob Pasko, who qualified for wrestler in Vernonia history to win State last year with a second place finish a District title and go to the state at District, has moved up several weight tournament. She is back to defend classes and should wrestle at 120 along her title at 106. “Kailia is a great with Zach Larke. Josh Sholes, who took team leader and has been helping third at District last year should wrestle out with coaching our kids club,” at 126. Hepner Forster, a fourth place says Barnes. finisher last year at District, should be at Mekhi Williams will look to 152 and James Watson will most likely pick up where he left off last year, wrestle at 182. “The exciting thing about after finishing third at State, and Hepner is that he wants to pin everyone should wrestle at 132. “Mekhi will he wrestles. It’s just how he thinks and be a big and strong 132 pounder it happens a lot,” says Barnes. “James and if he can get a little more strategic, Watson is taller and thinner this year and he will be tough to beat,” says Barnes. he should be a threat at District.” Ex- Bozied will most likely wrestle at 132. change student Murad Yazanedov looks Other wrestlers big and very strong and to watch for this year will probably wrestle include Nick Bennett, at 195. “I’m really ex- who finished third at cited about him,” says District last year, at 170, Barnes. and Josh Rice who has The Loggers not settled on a weight have two home meets class yet. Both have this season on Tuesday, been practicing, along December 12 at 5:00 with Henson, with leg- pm and on Tuesday, endary club coach Roy January 16 at 5:00 pm. Pittman in Portland at They also have tourna- the Peninsula Wrestling ments close by at Banks Club, and have made on December 13, the significant improvement Bill Haggerty Invita- over the last year. “Josh tional at Nestucca High Rice, who finished third School on December at District last year, is 16, and the Clatskanie a very exciting wres- Holiday Tournament on tler who is very pow- December 30. erful and athletic. I’m continued on page 11 Clay Sullivan Shawn Gibson Broker Licensed in the state of Oregon I HAVE MOVED! Prime Rib Dinner Every Friday & Saturday Reservations Recommended Vernonia Golf Club • 15961 Timber Rd • (503) 429-6811 Grand Opening Celebration Saturday, December 9th I’ll be serving my handmade candies as part of the Spirit of Christmas in Vernonia Chocolate Walk MORE Realty Email: shawn@shawngibsonhomes.com Vernonia Office Cell/Text: 503-866-7986 736 Bridge Street, Suite 2 Office: 503-353-MORE Vernonia, OR 97064 V ernonia C hristian C hurch • MIKE PIHL LOGGING CO., INC Everyone is welcome in our vibrant & active community! Sunday Worship Service 11:00 am Pastor Sam Hough 410 North St. Vernonia • Youth and Adult Sunday School • Evening Youth Groups Free Estimates Specializing in Private Timber 4th-6th Grade Junior & Senior High • Home Study Groups • Outdoor Ministry 503-429-1470 Christian Bow Hunters of America Annual Sportsman’s Banquet office@VernoniaChristianChurch.org 503-429-6522 cell 503.789.1268 fax 503.429.0252 mplogging@frontier.com 1984 mist drive, po box 321 vernonia, or 97064
