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Email this page to a friend Related StoriesFriday Harbor wrestling schedule and scores PREVIOUS SEASONS | |
Banry, Grone, Miller advance to state wrestling meetStory and photos by Matt Pranger
posted 02/13/05 |
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The Wolverines finished a solid third in the team standings behind champion Concrete and runner-up Bellevue Christian. "I’m happy with the whole team," Coach Banry said. "I was hoping for six (to go on to state), figured we had three going on and knew we could end with nobody. I knew the competition would be tough." Britt Banry advances as a regional champion for the second time -- he won the 145-pound division two years ago. "Britt just had an awesome day,v Gordy Banry, his father and coach Gordy Banry. “He wrestled really well." "I came in focused and ready to go," the younger Banry said. "That’s what made the difference, being 100 percent committed to it." Banry upended two foes -- Bellevue Christian’s Morgan Eliel and Tacoma Baptist’s David Alford -- who had previously beaten him. Banry pinned Alford three minutes into the championship match and stuck Eliel in the second period. He opened the tourney with a second-round pin of Chief Leschi’s Grant Woods. Grone is making his first appearance on the mats in the Tacoma Dome. He attended the state meet as an alternative his sophomore season and had a strong shot last year until a knee injury. "Jason has a lot of heart," his coach said. "I’d much rather be first (at regionals) but It doesen’t matter once you get to state,”" Grone said. Grone pinned Tacoma Baptist’s Max Hall in the opening round of the state-qualifier and pinned Cascade Christian’s Jake Anderson first period of the semifinal. Erik Hoff defeated Grone 13-6 in the championship but the senior secured his state berth by pinning Concrete’s Derek Coggins in the third period of a wrestle-back. "I’m going to work hard this week and bring my best to the Tacoma Dome," Grone said. Miller had not advanced to championship match until the 2005 regional meet, but he was determined at regionals. "He turned it on," Gordy Banry said. "Kyle goes out there completely unintimidated,"” his coach added. "He’s really fun to watch." Miller pinned Tacoma Baptist’s pinned Reder Johnson in the first round of the opening match. Trailing 6-2 in the second period of his semifinal contest against Bellevue Christian’s Spencer Smallwood, Miller rallied for a 12-7 decision. Darrington’s Justin Friddle pinned Miller in the second period of the championship match. Miller pumped his fist after a wrestle-back challenger lost in the consolation semifinal. "I’m so happy," said Miller while receiving congratulations from teammates. John Gossom came a couple reversals short of making his third appearance at state. Gossom drew an opening-round bye and pinned Darrington’s Mathias Metzger in the first period of the semifinal. Gossom led 2-0 after the first period against Tacoma Baptist’s Brian Haithcox, who scored four points in the second period. Gossom tied the match at 4-4 in the final round but Haithcox eked out three points for a 7-4 decision. In a wrestle-back, Gossom led 4-0 against challenger Zach Parker of Concrete in the second period. Parker went up 6-5 in the third period. Gossom nearly took down Parker but the Lion scored a near fall at the buzzer for a 9-5 decision. "I probably would’ve won the last match if I hadn’t been exhausted," Gossom said. Gossom was disappointed with the loss but proud of his wrestling accomplishments. "I think I did pretty good," Gossom said of his prep career. "You hate to see a senior who has put in four years of hard work and has made it before and then not make it," Gordy Banry said. Gossom had been wrestling several pounds lighter than most of his foes. "For my senior year I wish I would’ve been at the top of my weight class," said the 177-pounder. Jim Gossom came two points from earning a state trip. He started the tourney with a 20-8 decision against Cascade Christian’s Justin Howell. Darrington’s Tyler Burns pinned Gossom in the semifinals. Gossom pinned Cascade Christian’s Charlie Velling in the second period. In his wrestle-back, Gossom and Bellevue Christian’s James Kelley went point-for-point but Kelley stemmed the challenge 8-7. Pete GrosJacques had an opening-round bye and was pinned by Concrete’s Bob Browning in the semifinals. GrosJacques pinned Tacoma Baptist’s Grant Lowe in the second period of the consolation semifinals and pinned Darrington’s Joe Bill in the first period of the consolation finals. |
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