Here they are, just in time for summer vacation, the 2001-2002 Pre-Season Individual Wrestler Rankings from The Predictor. The weights shown are from last season’s Mat Classic, and yes, there will be a lot of changes before the season ends. But this is just the jumping-off spot, and hopefully it will churn up some conversation amongst wrestling fans. If you have a comment, or think someone needs more consideration, drop me an E-mail at wapredictor@hotmail.com. I try to answer all of my mail promptly, and will definitely listen to your point of view.
I should have a Preseason Team ranking out by the middle of June, and might issue a Toughest Tournaments ranking before then. Until then, enjoy the sport!
103
This weight class has a ton of returning place winners from the Mat Classic. I have ten wrestlers listed, but easily could have put 25 names down. The top five names are wrestlers that are almost on exactly the same level of excellence. Mike Rodriguez sometimes gets beat by his teammate Tyler Sherfey, but got the #1 nod by virtue of his outstanding Freestyle and Greco-Roman performances this spring (Cadet Double State Champ). Jose Tanguma went undefeated in 2000-2001, including several matches against tough 3A and 4A wrestlers. Returning state champions Randy Ceullar and Stu Draper were dominant in their own classifications, and should continue to roll along.
1. Mike Rodriguez, sophomore, Kamiakin (4A).
2. Jose Tanguma, junior, Warden (AB).
3. Randy Cuellar, senior, Lynden (3A).
4. Tyler Sherfey, sophomore, Kamiakin (4A).
5. Stu Draper, senior, Ridgefield (2A).
6. Ricky Farmer, senior, Washougal (3A).
7. Paul Kimball, senior, Cheney (3A).
8. C.J. Brown, senior, Stanwood (3A).
9. Greg Abe, junior, Renton (3A).
10. Jesse Lang, junior, Richland (4A).
112
This is another weight class loaded with returning place-winners. Jesse Getchell started last season with a bang by garnering Outstanding Wrestler honors at one of the toughest tournaments in the state, Blaine’s Battle of the Border. He powered through the season and to the Mat Classic, where he won the whole thing. Aaron Pedeferri was a lot more dominant than I expected in winning his first title, but they guy he beat, Brett Chambers, will be back as well, with good coaching from Hall of Fame inductee Lee Anderson.
1. Jesse Getchell, senior, Heritage (4A).
2. Aaron Pedeferri, junior, Cedarcrest (3A).
3. Richy Zuniga, senior, Granger (AB)
4. Brett Chambers, senior, Ferndale (3A).
5. Ben Sevigny, senior, Zillah (AB).
6. Zach Morgan, junior, Selah (3A).
7. Tyson Hintz, senior, Moses Lake (4A).
8. Josh Williams, senior, Kennewick (4A).
9. Greg Ford, sophomore, River Ridge (3A)
10. Ty Human, junior, Lake Stevens (4A).
119
Jimmy Jayne is the only wrestler in the state to have beaten Burke Barnes in the post-season (2000 District One Championships). He chose a lower weight last season, only to run up against 2X champ Joel Mittelman of Lynnwood—bummer for Jimmy. He should find things easier this season, unless he moves up against Barnes again….
1. Jimmy Jayne, senior, Arlington (4A).
2. Mike Roggenkamp, senior, Enumclaw (4A).
3. Anthony Zender, junior, Mount Baker (2A).
4. Matt ReMillard, sophomore, Southridge (4A).
5. Eli Zuniga, junior, Granger (AB).
6. Jeff Linder, senior, Timberline (3A).
7. Matt Malyon, senior, Franklin Pierce (3A)
8. Spenser Piercy, senior, Royal (AB)
9. Jon Limbeck, senior, Cashmere (2A).
10. Mickey Elliott, junior, Spanaway Lake (4A)
125
Burke Barnes is phenomenal. I don’t think there is a wrestler in the state less than 145 pounds who can beat him. He’ll take his fourth-straight championship, and get a full-ride scholarship to the Division 1 university of his choice—take that to the bank. The next four names--Farmer, Knight, Bradbury, and Weatherman—are all excellent wrestlers that could top a lot of lists, but not one with Barnes in it.
1. Burke Barnes, senior, Lake Stevens (4A).
2. Fred Farmer, senior, Heritage (4A).
3. Devin Knight, sophomore, Sedro Woolley (3A).
4. Jordan Bradbury, senior, Montesano (2A)
5. Seth Weatherman, senior, Jenkins (Chewelah) (2A).
6. Jacob Lusk, senior, Fife (3A).
7. Matt Dillin, senior, Ephrata (2A).
8. Chaunsey Redcrow, junior, Wellpinit (AB)
9. Teddy Herrera, senior, Wapato (3A).
10. Paul Sewell, senior, Inglemoor (4A).
130
This is one of the few weights where there are no obvious dominant wrestlers. Ariel Garza would be, if not for a sporadic showing in 2001. Chester Davison might turn some heads, and Eric Curnett won’t disappoint, but all in all, I need to see how the first couple of weeks in December come out.
1. Ariel Garza, senior, Moses Lake (4A).
2. Eric Curnett, senior, Lake Stevens (4A).
3. Kenny McNeese, junior, Auburn (4A).
4. Jesus Lopez, senior, Royal (AB).
5. Juan Carlos Baca, senior, Zillah (AB).
6. Chester Davison, senior, Washougal (3A).
7. Kye Kirkpatrick, senior, Anacortes (3A).
8. Josh Whittaker, junior, Rainier (AB).
9. Brett Bailey, senior, Lakewood (2A).
10. Josh Friedman, senior, Peninsula (3A).
135
Anthony Haukenberry came on strong 2001, whipping everyone
in the bracket at Mat Classic, including a really tough Anthony Johnson
(Clarkston) in the final. I don’t think anybody can keep up with him this
season. From the Eastside, Derek
Williams and Shane Proctor are almost on the same level as Hauk’, and will do
very well (again) at the Mat Classic. I
doubt Johnny Wicker will be at 135 this season. He spent last season fighting the scales, and is more likely to
go at 145 this year.
1. Anthony Haukenberry, senior, White River (3A).
2. Derek Williams, junior, Tonasket (2A).
3. Shane Proctor, junior, Lake Roosevelt (AB).
4. Johnny Wicker, junior, Sedro Woolley (3A).
5. Jeff Nimrick, junior, Peninsula (3A).
6. Colin Thorne, senior, Anacortes (3A).
7. Russ Chipman, senior, Cashmere (2A).
8. Matt McKnight, senior, Winlock (AB).
9. Kyle Saltz, senior, Kamiakin (4A).
10. John Daschbach, senior, Central Valley (4A).
140
Moses Lake has more wrestlers (five) on my top-ten lists than any other team in the state. Bryan Seibel is one of two Number One ranked wrestlers for the Chiefs, and that means they’ll be in the hunt for a team title (again). Jonathan Decker is a Mat Classic veteran who could win it all—but see my notes on Anacortes in the 145-pound class below. I am VERY impressed with Tony Dorward, the guy likes to wrestle, and he wrestles hard.
1. Bryan Seibel, senior, Moses Lake (4A)
2. Jonathan Decker, senior, Anacortes (3A).
3. Tony Dorward, sophomore, Mount Rainier (3A).
4. Hans Gray, senior, Squalicum (3A).
5. Ben Sathre, senior, Mark Morris (3A).
6. Kyle Wyle, senior, Royal (AB).
7. Andrew Lynes, senior, Wahluke (AB).
8. Eddy Cerrillos, senior, Royal (AB).
9. David Hunter, senior, WF West (3A).
10. Casey McCourtie, senior, Othello (2A).
145
In Anacortes, there has been a huge controversy this spring over coaching quality. The result is that Head Coach Mike Compton, who led Burlington to the team title in 1993, and has coached wrestlers to 11 individual championships, has hung up his whistle. It remains to be seen whether Matt Cooper, one of the two best wrestlers ever for the Seahawks (along with brother Coyte), will continue to wrestle for them. One coach who’s not going anywhere is Tonasket’s Dave Mitchell, 2001 State Coach of the Year, and the dad of 4X champ Martin. He’s a state champ himself (Issaquah, 1972), along with a couple of brothers. Look out for son Patrick to add to the extensive family legend this season.
1. Matt Cooper, senior, Anacortes (3A).
2. Stephen Folden, senior, Kentwood (4A).
3. Dusty Long, junior, Mountain View (4A).
4. Eric Garcia, junior, Moses Lake (4A).
5. Patrick Mitchell, junior, Tonasket (2A).
6. Kyle Fitch, senior, Ritzville (AB).
7. Juventino Orozco, junior, Connell (2A).
8. Chris York, senior, Vashon Island (2A).
9. Nick Miller, senior, Rainier (AB).
10. Cory Vansteenwick, Battle Ground (4A).
152
Derek McLaughlin and Patrick Pitsch met in the state semifinals at Mat Classic, and couldn’t get it decided in regulation. McLaughlin got the win in OT, 7-5, but I don’t think these two have seen the last of each other. I don’t know what happened to Phil Eggleston at the 2A tournament, but I expect he’s going to turn things around and make believers out of a lot of folks this season.
1. Derek McLaughlin, junior, Capital (4A).
2. Patrick Pitsch, junior, Spanaway Lake (4A).
3. Chris Garza, senior, Wapato (3A).
4. Phil Eggleston, senior, Jenkins (Chewelah) (2A).
5. Kyle Dickson, senior, White River (3A).
6. Shawn Smith, senior, Port Townsend (2A).
7. Paul Reiner, senior, Walla Walla (4A).
8. David Steele, senior, Okanogan (AB).
9. Josh Gardner, junior, Vashon Island (2A).
10. Brian Freeman, senior, Connell (2A).
160
If not for an injury that knocked him out of the prestigious Tri-State tourney last season, Andy Andrews would have run the table and finished his season undefeated. When he took on Lake Stevens’ Christian Anderson (who took third at the PowerAde Christmas Tourney in Pennsylvania—no small task) in the Regional finals last year, Andy left no doubt who was the best wrestler. On the other side of the state, Lake Roosevelt’s Shane Innes, Jr. did a little tearing-up of his own. I’d love to see him match up with Andrews at some point.
1. Andy Andrews, senior, Sedro Woolley (3A).
2. Shane Innes, Jr., senior, Lake Roosevelt (AB).
3. Kyle Frawley, senior, White River (3A)
4. Josh Edmonson, junior, Medical Lake (2A).
5. Christian Anderson, senior, Lake Stevens (4A).
6. Cory Devela, senior, Sumner (4A).
7. Ryan Qualls, senior, Tahoma (4A).
8. Dan Honeycutt, senior, La Center (2A).
9. Nick Portrey, senior, Ritzville (AB).
10. Mike Watson, senior, White River (3A).
171
OK—Brandon Hern surprised me with his championship in 2A last season. I’d been told how good he was, but since I’d never watched him, remained skeptical. I’m a believer now, thank you, and figure he should be able to perform well again. This is one of those weights where seniors are the traditional power, and graduations clear out lots of space for younger guys. An injury kept one of those guys, Chet Slevin, out of action last season, but he’ll make big noise if he stays healthy this year.
1. Brandon Hern, senior, South Whidbey (2A).
2. Nick Lucas, senior, Oroville (AB).
3. Pat Bradley, senior, Gonzaga Prep (4A).
4. Chet Slevin, sophomore, Ferndale (3A).
5. Tyler Bates, senior, River View (Kennewick) (AB)
6. Jason Wargo, senior, Orting (2A).
7. Josh Thompson, senior, Chelan (2A).
8. Brycen Wesen, senior, Centralia (3A).
9. Trey Lusk, senior, Moses Lake (4A).
10. Jim Wilson, junior, WF West (3A).
189
Chris Thoreson has won it all twice, and there’s no reason to think he won’t do it again. Ryan Van Doren has been to the Mat Classic three times now. His Dad tells me he’s really caught the bug this year, though, and that spells trouble for all of the Greater Spokane League. Look for a trail of destruction in Ryan’s wake. I don’t know what kept Adam Yohe out of Tacoma last February. Whatever it was, I hope he gets a chance to redeem himself in 2002, because he’s the real deal as a good wrestler.
1. Chris Thoreson, senior, Rosalia (AB).
2. Ryan Van Doren, senior, Mead (4A).
3. Adam Yohe, senior, Mark Morris (3A).
4. Josh Moonen, senior, Wahkiakum (AB).
5. Grant Guidinger, senior, Mercer Island (3A).
6. Kyle Malone, senior, Gonzaga Prep (4A).
7. Rusty Wilson, senior, Concrete (AB).
8. Gene Slack, senior, Zillah (AB).
9. Jeff Willis, senior, Rainier (AB).
10. Brent Small, senior, Mary Walker (AB).
215
Jamie Rakevich is a big-time wrestler, and will be one of the best college recruits in the state. I imagine he stands a good chance at an undefeated season, and his third trip to the finals. Justin Moody and Ty Watterson are just plain animals—I’d bet on a 4A final with the two of them, but you never know.
1. Jamie Rakevich, senior, Elma (2A).
2. Justin Moody, senior, East Valley (Spokane) (4A).
3. Ty Watterson, senior, Enumclaw (4A).
4. Kyle Keith, senior, Sequim (3A).
5. Jesus Gonzalez, senior, Wapato (3A).
6. Chris Keeney, junior, North Thurston (3A).
7. Jon Edmonds, senior, Lakewood (2A)
8. Mark Trott, senior, Auburn (4A).
9. David Kulisch, senior, Lewis & Clark (4A).
10. Brady Jonas, senior, Mount Baker (2A)
275
Two heavyweights in the state stand above all others. Kyle Frost has been solid for a couple of years, and doesn’t have any big competition (that I know of…) in 3A. The same is true of J.C. Ronnfeldt, from a resurgent Decatur squad. Zillah’s Timote Uasike bowed out of the Mat Classic a lot sooner that I thought he would, but he should make up for that this season. My wild card is Jehra Moore, who is actually light enough to wrestle at 215. He’s a real scrapper; guys who don’t take him seriously get beat up. And as Courtney Howard (East Valley [Spokane]) showed us last year, size doesn’t always matter.
1. Kyle Frost, senior, Clarkston (3A).
2. J.C. Ronnfeldt, senior, Decatur (4A).
3. Clark Pauls, senior, Davenport (AB).
4. Lance Hebert, senior, Port Angeles (4A).
5. Timote Uasike, senior, Zillah (AB).
6. Chris Walsh, sophomore, Lincoln (4A).
7. Tim Smith, senior, Wenatchee (4A).
8. Jehra Moore, senior, Sedro Woolley (3A).
9. Mario Regino, junior, Toledo (AB).
10. Jay Bandle, senior, Wapato (3A).