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About The Clackamas print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1989-2019 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 14, 2012)
PRINT: Sports_____________________ _______________ Wednesday, Nov. 14,2012 5 Wrestlers: Cougars pounce on Highline Continued from Page 1 “I feel like they have been working pretty hard, but we haven’t pushed them too hard yet,” said Rhoden. “We have Very high expectations here as a pro gram as a result o f finishing in the top eight in the nation every single season our staff has been here at Clackamas.” Rhoden believes that his coaching staff is a key part o f the Cougars success over die past seven seasons. “Coach Vigorito is the bal ance we need, and he redirects us, keeps us on task and helps provide a calming influence to the staff,” said Rhoden. “I really believe that Clackamas wrestling has one o f the best overall coaching staffs in the country, across all levels.” The starters for each weight class have been selected, but may be subject to change as the sea son progresses. Before the sea son started, there have been some problems w ith minor injuries amongst the group. A few wres tlers won’t be able to participate until later in the season. The look out, however, is still hopeful. “We expect our guys to carry the banner o f teams past and o f this institution onto the mat every single competition,” said Rhoden. “We have a proud his tory o f success and we expect to continue that, starting Saturday.” This year the competition schedule will allow Cougar wres tlers the opportunity to travel all over Oregon. They will also get to see parts o f Washington, Wyoming, Idaho, Nevada, and finally cap off with the NCWAA N ational C ham pionships in Iowa. Cougar wrestling is vying Richard Black III, a Jreshmcm frójn Stockton, Calif., puts the hurt on Highline’s Ben Tynan on his way to a first round pin in 4:19 at the 197 pound weight class. The Cougars won all buf one match Saturday in a commanding 45-4 victory over Highline at Randall Gym. for a third straight Region 18 Championship, w hich would be a fir.st in school , history. o f every wrestler that competed. “We got a bunch o f falls, and some bonus point wins, which is good,” said Rhoden. He was not disappointed at all in the one match that the Cougars lost. “We knew that lad was tough,” said Rhoden. “The kid he wrestled from Highline is an All-American from last year who is currently ranked sixth in the country. We thought we could wear him out, but unfortunately we didn’t wres tle mistake free.” A few Clackamas wrestlers were getting used to dropping pounds in an attempt to wrestle at a lower weight class. “That was my first time cutting Clackamas 45, Highline 4 The C ougars dom inated Highline in the first match o f the season, losing only one match on the way to a convincing 45 to 4 victory. Clackamas head coach Josh Rhoden was glad tq finally get a real-match under their belt. “It was good to see our guys go out and get that first one in,” said Rhoden. “They’ve been grinding and beating on each other for a couple months. It’s good for these guys to get their feet wet; we have a lot o f new guys.” Rhoden liked what he saw out down to weight, from 200 to make 174,” said sophomore Trent Noon o f Oakdale, Calif. “It was a really hard weight cut. I was a little slow, so I just stayed back and made sure I got the win.” Freshman Richard Black, from Stockton, Calif., also is adjusting to a new weight class. “Cutting weight was hard, try ing to get used to a new weight class that I didn’t wrestle at in high school,” said Black. “I felt I wrestled a little sloppy. I know I’ll get better as the season goes on and I get used to the weight class.” Black was succinct and to the point in talking about why the Cougars have been successful. “We’ve got a good team, we work real hard, and we are a fam ily,” said Black. “We’re all getting used to college and everything, working hard trying to be the best, trying to be No. 1.” Rhoden talked about several ways that the public can follow the Cougar wrestling team throughout the season as they travel all over the Pacific Northwest. “People can follow us online through our team Facebook page or the CCC athletics page,” said Rhoden. Joshua Dillen and Andrew Millbrooke o f the Clackamas Print contributed to this report. Cougar XC 4th at NWAACC Championships Andrew Millbrooke Sports Editor The Clackamas Community College men’s and women’s cross country teams ran well to grab fourth place trophies in Saturday’s NWAACC Championships at Plantes Ferry Park in Spokane, Wash. “The men and women both took fourth,” satid head coach Jarret Mantalas. “Everything went about as well as possible.” Lane’s Elias Gedyon claimed the men’s individual title with a 25:08 clocking for 8,000-meters, finishing 13 seconds ahead o f teammate Jacob Berkner (25:21). Spokane’s Jessica Mildes ran away with the women’s individual title, winning the 5,000-meter race in 17:59 to finish 40 seconds ahead o f second place finisher, Marren Haneberg (18:39) o f team cham pion Everett. Everett dominated the women’s competition, placing five runners in the top seven spots to win the NWAACC championship with a meet low 21 points. Spokane (38) took home the men’s team title with a close win over Lane (48) and Everett (51). Clackamas finished a distant fourth with 89 points. “Other guys had pretty good « < «Z < CD CM co 43 CO > o races,” said Mantalas. “We ran well, but just got beat.” As he has all season, freshman Badane Sultessa led the Cougar men with a fourth place finish in a lifetime personal best time o f 25:25 for 8,000-meters. Mantalas was pleased with the performances out o f the men and he singled out a few individuals for stepping up with lifetime personal bests. “Badane ran a pretty good race,” said Mantalas. “Guys got away from him, but he.closed real ly hard and made a good effort o f it, just getting nipped for third.” Tony Gil-Juarez was the sec ond runner for CCC finishing in 14th place in 26:02. Jon Obeso (19th in 26:29), Zach Hibbs (25th in 26:54), and Austin Peila (27th in 26:55) completed the scoring for Clackamas’ men. “Zach ran out o f his mind,” said Mantalas. “He’s been our number six or seven guy all year and today he was our number four with a season personal best.” Gil-Juarez and Peila both set personal bests for 8,000-meters. Mark Medgin (34th in 27:37) and John Doyle (46th in 28:00) were the final Clackamas runners across the line. The Cougar women surprised a few people with a fourth place showing. The women were led by the outstanding sophomore duo of Grace Viuhkola and Cia Bywater. Viuhkola (12th in 19:50) and Bywater (13th in 19:51) finished right next to each other near the top o f the pack in the 5,000-meter race to lead the Cougars. “Cia and Grace ran really solid, about as good a race us expected,” said Mantalas. “We are all very excited to be fourth.” Randi Chance (31st in 22:01), Zaira Sanchez (36th in 22:47) and Tiffany Forbito (40th in 23:24) were the final scor ing runners for Clackamas. “Our women were fourth, which is outstanding for the posi tion w e’re in,” said Mantalas. “We brought two track girls with us. Tiffany ran out o f her mind, finish ing very well and Zaira ran about a minute and a half PR on the season, which helped us tremendously.” Another track athlete, freshman Morgan Grubb, provided some depth for the Cougars, finishing 47th in 25:19. Team Results: M en - Spokane 38, Lane 48, Everett 51, Clackamas 89, Treasure Valley 141, Green River 174, Clark 228, Highline 253, Mt. Hood 264, Olympic 276, SW Oregon 293, Skagit Valley 300. W omen - Everett 21, Spokane 58, Treasure Valley 72, Clackamas 132, Mt. Hood 147, SW Oregon 152, Lane 162, Olympic 212. No. 274 freshman Badane Sultessa leads teammates No. 272 Austin Peila and Jon Obeso earlier this season. Sultessa was the Cougars’ top runner in every meet this season, placing fourth at the NWAACC Championships. WEDNESDAY 11/14 THURSDAY-11/15 FRIDAY11/16 M0NDAY11/19 TUESDAY 11/20 • Horse Racing: • College Basketball: OSU • CCC Men’s Basketball: vs. • CCC Women’s Soccer: NWAACC • CCC Men’s Basketball: vs. • Randall Fitness Center: Monday Beavers at Alabama, In New York at 4 p.m. on ESPN2 Northwest Indian College at 7 p.m. in Randall Gym semifinals vs. Spokane CC at Starfire Stadium, Tukwila, Wash. Bellevue at 2 p.m. in Randall Gym - 8:30-10 a.m. and 1-6 p.m. • Randall Fitness Center: 12-8 p.m. live racing from Portland Meadows, 1 p.m. Wed., Sat., Sun. • Randall Fitness Center: 8:30-10 a.m. and 1-8 p.m. • NBA: Houston at Portland, 7 p.m. SATURDAY-11/17 • CCC Wrestling: Best of the West Open in Ashland SUNDAY-11/18 • CCC Wrestling: Best of the West Open in Ashland, 9 a.m. on Tuesday and Thursday
