OROVILLE – The Oroville Hornet Wrestling program opened its season by hosting a Jamboree in Coulton Auditorium on Nov. 29 and several of the home team wrestlers posted perfect performances.
“Bryce Woodruff, Davis Castillo, Tyler Herrera, Justin Rounds and Carlos Herrera led the Hornet attack by posting perfect 2 to 0 performances,” said Hornet Coach Chuck Ricevuto.
“Nathan Thompson lost a close 1 to 2 decision for a 1 to 1 evening,” adds Ricevuto. “Zack Mieirs picked up a big win for a 1 to 2 evening and brand new to the grappling mats J.T. Miller wrestled very hard against some of the tougher competition for a 0 to 2 evening.
Other teams participating were Republic, Penticton, Pateros and Wilbur-Creston-Keller.
The Hornet team went on to participate in the Davenport Tourney on Dec. 1 and placed third with only eight entrants, according to Coach ‘Rice.’
Early season injured left a Hornet traveling squad of eight wrestlers to enter the invitational. “This did not stop the heart and desire of some very determined young men,” said Coach Rice.
“Our ‘Fab Frosh’ led by a super bout by Davis Castillo upsetting Podia of Kittitas in the semi-finals followed by some very aggressive 2-2 performances by Justin Rounds and Tyler Herrera these were the highlights of the day,” adds the coach.
Both Woodruff and Carlos Herrera were champions while Thompson let an early lead escape him for a final 9-11 loss in the finals. Zack Mieirs had a very solid 3-1 third place bronze-medal day. Miller, like the rest of this crew, showed a lot of desire for a 0-2 tournament, according to Ricevuto.
At the end of the day it was Kittitas finishing first with 239 team points, followed by Lake Roosevelt, 204; Oroville, 122.5; Freeman, 117; Colfax, 62; Davenport, 55; Liberty, 52; Pateros, 34 and Okanogan, 20.
Then it was on the road again for the Okanogan Invite on Dec. 4 where the Hornets had a fifth place team finish.
Woodruff kept his undefeated record in tact with a perfect 2-0 day, pinning both of his opponents. Thomson narrowed a previous gap by coming three points closer to tough state champion J.J. Cubler from Republic in a 0-7 hard-fought loss for a second place silver medal.
Carlos Herrera suffered his first loss of the season to defending state champion Derek Toney of Reardan, according to Ricevuto. After a 0-0 first round Toney managed to pile up an eventual 20-2 decision.
“Second-year wrestler Zack Mieirs continues to improve by placing fourth just out of the medals,” Ricevuto said. “First-year wrestler J.T. Miller contributed to the Hornet cause, but went two and out.”
The final finish had Reardan taking the top team score with 213, followed by Republic, 162; Omak, 154.5; Tonasket, 147; Oroville, 75.5; Liberty Bell, 68; Okanogan, 65; Brewster, 50 and Wilbur-Creston-Keller, 49.
