EHS BOYS WRESTLING: Hornets gunning for top

With Hall of Fame coach Lee Reichert back at the helm after a brief retire-rehire moment this fall, Enumclaw High is gunning for another top state finish.

The Hornets, who won the 3A crown in 2008 and 2009, fell six points shy in 2010.

That team effort included state champion Hunter File, runners-up Josh Musick and Kario Wallin and place winners Lucas Somera, Kyle Young, Andrew Fox, Chance Mitchell, Colton Malek and Steven Knapp.

File, Musick, Wallin, Somera and Malek are back on the mat.

“We have three finalists back, that’s a good start,” Reichert said.

“We’re optimistic,” he added, noting the Hornets have been working hard.

Somera, a sophomore, placed sixth and Malek, a junior, was fourth.

In addition to the state place finishers, the Hornets have back state participants Travis Reano, Cole Snider and two-time state participant Marcus Nichols.

The Hornets also welcome Tyke Reid, who lives in the Enumclaw School District but attended school at Auburn Mountainview. He placed fifth at state last season in the lower weights. Jared Paul is also a returning starter.

The only down side to the season so far is the loss of days of practice due to inclement weather and school cancelations. Reichert has not had a chance to glance at the challenge board or get a better look at his junior varsity returnees and the 12 incoming freshmen.

That’s not much time to get ready for the season’s opening jamboree with Todd Beamer and the highly-touted White River Classic Saturday in Buckley, where the Hornets will face Yelm, which nudged them for the state title, 3A sixth-place White River and 1A state champion Orting.

The tournament will give Reichert and his coaching staff a measuring stick for this year’s 3A.

“I’m not complaining, “Reichert said. “But the 3A is probably the toughest at the state tournament.”

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