Champ lives up to her name

Canby, Newberg
settle score this weekend

By Sean Patterson
Canby Herald

They were a perfect 7-0 in league duals, and they very nearly pulled off a flawless season, going 20-1.

But don't think for a minute members of the Canby High School wrestling team are getting big heads. On the contrary, the Cougars are fully aware they have their work cut out for them this weekend at the Pacific-9 Conference tournament in Tigard.

As always, a big obstacle stands in the way of Canby's quest to win its first Pac-9 district title: Newberg.

The teams have already met twice this season, with Canby winning the league dual and the Tigers gaining a measure of revenge with a victory in the finals of the Oregon Wrestling Classic.

But just how they match up this weekend is anybody's guess. "You can't predict things like this - it's just too close to call," Canby head coach Dan Nugent said of the district event, where team pride and state berths will be on the line.

''Obviously, I'm proud of these guys and what they have accomplished. But we also realize we aren't finished yet. There's still a lot of season left.''

No matter what happens from here on out, the Cougars can pride themselves in the fact they've enjoyed one of the program's best regular seasons ever: Five tournament championships, a perfect league record and a lofty No. 2 dual-meet ranking and No. 3 tournament rating.

Newberg, on the other hand, comes in as the state's top-ranked dual-meet team and No. 5 tournament squad. Judging from that, it would appear the Cougars, with their depth at the second-varsity level, would have the edge this weekend.

But not so fast. "Based on what we've done, we're a legitimate contender to win it," Nugent said. "But that's as far as I'll go. Other people can say things and predict things, but not me. I've learned not to do that sort of thing."

Canby certainly has reason to be confident. Two of the team's wrestlers, Ian Gadberry at 119 pounds and Garret Miyake at 130, are ranked first and second in their weights, respectively.

And Gadberry, who wrestled for Canby as a freshman before transferring to Pendleton for two years, is a defending state champion. He is 32-0 so far this season.

The Cougars also boast ranked competitors in Lucas Hambleton at 119 (fifth), Jared Wilson at 160 (fifth), Steve Schrader at 215 (fifth), Jeff Wilson at 171 (sixth), Pete Savory at 152 (10th) and Scott Doman at heavyweight (11th).

The Cougars also have high expectations for freshman 112-pounder Stephen Schantin, who boasts a 26-4 record and has a whopping 22 pins to his credit. All told, 10 Canby wrestlers have picked up at least 20 victories this season, giving the team reason to believe it can get close to a dozen individuals through district and on to the state championships Feb. 22-24 at the Memorial Coliseum in Portland.

"We're hoping to get double digits (to state)," Nugent said. "The bottom line is, we'd like to get as many there as we can."

And what of Canby's state-trophy chances?

"Again, that's something you guys can write about," the coach said. "All we can do is wrestle our best and hope things work out."

District begins with the opening session at 10 a.m. Friday. Later in the day, the second session runs from 3 to 7 p.m. On Saturday, the third session unfolds from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the final rounds go from 5 to 9 p.m. that night.

The top three individuals in each weight class move on to state.

In addition to Newberg and Canby, McMinnville, Dallas, Silverton, Tigard and Forest Grove all feature quality athletes. None of them, however, boast the kind of depth the Cougars and Tigers have.

In terms of experience, the Cougars have their share. Gadberry has been to state three times, placing third twice before winning it last year, and Miyake has been there twice, placing fourth and eighth. Hambleton, a sophomore, was sixth at last year's big event.

Regardless of what happens, Canby has already delivered one of the best seasons ever in the history of the CHS wrestling program.

"It's been a great season," Nugent said. "We just need to take care of business down the stretch."

In addition to the varsity district tournament this week, the league's freshman/novice meet is scheduled for Wednesday at 4 p.m. at Woodburn High School.

Kahle's heroics spark Huskies

Kristen Kahle had yet another double-double for the Huskies, as her 14 points and 11 rebounds helped pave the way for North Marion's Capital Conference girls basketball victory over Cascade last Friday.

"We jumped on them in the first quarter and then I was able to play nine players," North Marion coach Dennis Melcher said of the 52-36 victory. "We just maintained the lead the rest of the game."

The Huskies got up 13-7 after the first quarter and were up 25-20 at halftime.

In the third and fourth quarters, North Marion outscored the Cougars 15-10 and 12-6 thanks in part to good pressure defense.

"Our team defense is getting better, especially the pressure defense," Melcher said. "Our offensive scoring is becoming more balanced as well. We are getting more players involoved, which will help us down the stretch." The win puts the Huskies at 7-1 in conference play and 14-6 overall.

After Kahle's double-double, Vanessa Perales had 12 points, including two three-pointers, and Julie Melcher had 11 points, seven assists and three steals. Kelley Carpenter added eight points and six steals for the winner.

"It felt good," Melcher said of the win. "The kids all did good. It was nice to see Vanessa (Perales) finally start hitting her shot. She has been in a slump, and I think she is coming out of it now. This was a good team effort."

North Marion traveled to Sisters Tuesday and will be home for Central Friday at 5:30 p.m.

North Marion district
hopes rest with individuals

North Marion's strength in the middle weights proved to be the bright spot for the Huskies in their final regular-season wrestling dual of the season last Thursday against Central.

The visitors won the four matches between 130 and 145 pounds while also picking up a forfeit victory at 171. Unfortunately, as has been the case all season, three forfeits hurt the team's chances in its quest for a league win.

Central won 46-24 despite the winning efforts of North Marion's Zach Martushev (130), Shea McKeon (135), Jason Roberts (140), Larry Lisoff (145) and Tomo Mori (171).

"The encouraging thing is, we had a good majority of the guys who will be wrestling for us at district," North Marion head coach Mike Robinson said. "We've really had to battle injuries and illness this year, but hopefully we've put that behind us. We should have everyone ready to go for district."

The Capital Conference's district tournament will unfold this Friday and Saturday at Sweet Home High School. Action begins Friday at 2 p.m. and runs all day Saturday beginning at 11 a.m.

The top three placers in each weight class advance to the Class 3A state tournament Feb. 22-24 at Memorial Coliseum in Portland.

The Huskies don't have the depth to compete as a team at district, but they do have a handful of individuals who should challenge for state berths. Roberts, 4-1 in league matches, and Justin Willis, 3-0 at 171, figure to land top-three spots this weekend.

Robinson also has high hopes for Martushev at 130.

"We're very solid with Justin, Jason and Zach - I can see all three of those guys getting there (state)," the coach said. "But nothing is a given in this sport. You still have to go out and get it done."

Unlike years past, the 3A level will allow the top three district finishers to make state, rather than the top two. That opens the door for more individuals to reach the big event.

In terms of the team race this weekend, Sweet Home is the heavy favorite to claim a district title. The Huskies could face a challenge from Cascade, which features a number of high-caliber athletes.