Padgett earns
second regional title
White River High graduate Brad Padgett earned his second-straight Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference/NCAA Super Region 3 wrestling title March 1.
The 184-pound, St. Cloud State University senior scored a 17-5 major decision over the University of Mary’s Kurt Wiedrich, then went on to win a 12-5 decision over Aaron Norgren of Minnesota State University in the semifinals and picked up another major decision, 12-2, in the championship finals over Nick Hen-ning of Augustana.
Padgett was one of eight St. Cloud wrestlers to qualify for the Division II tournament that took place at Southwest Minnesota State University. St. Cloud took second place as a team, behind champion Minnesota State.
This marks the fourth-straight year Padgett, a transfer from Highline Community College, has earned a regional title.
The NCAA Division II No. 2-ranked Padgett is scheduled to wrestle in the NCAA Championships Friday and Saturday in Houston.
A second Padgett, Caleb, also a White River High graduate, competed in the National Junior College Athletic Association Wrestling Championships Feb. 27 and 28 in Rochester, Minn. He, and another White River graduate, Justin Purves, represented Highline Community College. Padgett was an overtime victory short of placing. Purves finished seventh at 125 pounds to earn all-America honors.
Gonzales overtime
match hard to take
In Oregon State University’s first match March 2, the second day of the Pac-10 Wrestling Championships, senior Jake Gonzales fell in a highly controversial bout. Gon-zales, an Enum-claw High graduate, looked to have a takedown with just seconds remaining in the third period but was not awarded the points as time expired. Gonzales, a four-seed at 125 pounds, fell to seventh-seeded Brian Owen from Boise State, despite controlling the tempo throughout most of the match.
Before the loss, Gonzales was working his way into one of the final berths into the 2009 NCAA Championships in St. Louis beginning March 19.
During placement matches, Gonzales defeated Micah Ferguson of Cal Poly in overtime with a reversal, winning 3-1. Gonzales finished the tournament fifth at 125 pounds.
Oregon State finished second to defending champion Boise State.
Wolverine football
registration begins
Wolverine Junior Football and Cheer registration for returning players and cheerleaders is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at KeyBank in Enumclaw. New player and cheerleader register is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 21, also at KeyBank. Uniforms are provided by the franchise. For information check out the ad in today’s Enumclaw Courier-Herald or visit www.wolverinejuniorfootball.com.
Sign up for Hornet Junior Football
Hornet Junior Football will host a sign-up and evaluation night from 5:30 to 8 p.m. March 18 at Thunder Mountain Middle School in Enumclaw. For information visit the Web site at www.hornetjuniorfootball.com.
Crystal hosts ski competition
Crystal Mountain hosted the seventh annual Silver King Freeride Big Mountain Ski and Snowboard Competition, part of the International Free Skiing Association’s Freeskiing World Tour, Thursday through Sunday. Results were not available at press time, but several local skiers were scheduled to participate.
This is a respected and long running event with the top finishers often qualifying for the world tour.
Crystal will host the Silver King Junior Free Skiing Championships, the finals of the IFSA North American Junior Freeskiing Tour, April 1-5.
Hornets win parks league hoop title
The White River Hornets fifth- and sixth-grade select basketball team captured first place in the Sumner/Bonney Lake Recreation Department, combined with the Puyallup Recreation Department’s select basketball league.
The team, coached by Matt Sheer and assisted by Joe France and Mike Madden, finished the season with a 9-1 league record and on March 2 at Sumner High defeated the No. 1 team out of the Auburn select League 49-23. Dustin France was the leading scorer with 24 points.
Fastpitch clinic set for March 21-22
The Bonney Lake Junior Panthers Fastpitch Clinic is from 2 to 5 p.m. March 21-22 at the high school for girls ages 11-14.
Cost is $45 and includes a T-shirt.
For information, contact coach Dave Loveless at 253-988-0633 or e-mail pantherfastpitch@hotmail.com.
Schwartz earns three top finishes
Seattle Pacific University senior Brianna Schwartz (Bonney Lake/Sumner High) competed on the vault (9.550), bars (9.150) and floor (9.525) during the Salbasgeon Suites Invitational collegiate women’s gymnastics meet won by host Oregon State at Gill Coliseum. The Falcons were third at 187.975.
NCAA Division II member SPU has competed only against Division I opponents this season.
The Seattle Pacific women are on the road for the rest of the year. They complete the regular season on Friday in a tri-meet at Sacramento State with University of California at Davis. The Falcons travel to Colorado Springs, Colo., March 20 for the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championships.
EHS dance team heads to state
These Hornet Dancers qualified to go to the state championships in Yakima March 27. Enumclaw High has fielded a dance team since 2001, but this is the first time the Hornets have qualified for postseason competition. Cassidy Nelson and KeelyAnn Kelly serve as team captains. This year’s journey to state began in August with practice sessions and will conclude with the state contest in the Yakima SunDome.
