For the week of December 10 - 16, 2003

Mid weights are
strong for wrestlers

WRHS opens 2003-04 campaign

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Wood River High School’s wrestling team didn’t have a district champion last season, but the young Wolverine mat team ended up sending eight to the State 3A tournament.

Seven of those state qualifiers are returning for Wood River coach Danny Turner and assistant coach Kim Orchard as the Wolverines prepare to open their 17-match, five-tournament 2003-04 campaign.

Wood River travels to Jerome Thursday, Dec. 11 then tackles Century of Pocatello Friday, Dec. 12 at 6 p.m. in the new high school gym, Hailey.

Coach Turner said, "We have a solid 18 guys out, and 10 of them are returning from last year. Most of our experience is from the 145-pound weight class and on up. It will be tough to beat us there this season."

Leading the way are senior 145-pounder Duane Miller (31-13 last winter) and senior 152-pounder Robert Wiesen (32-17, 61-46 career). Wiesen placed second in the district tourney.

Other senior-class state qualifiers returning are 160-pounder Brandon Silvia (24-18) and 189-pounder Russell Adams (15-18). Junior 171-pounder and state qualifier Greg Lyons (25-17, 37-33 career) is also back.

Coach Turner said, "The upperclassmen come with a lot of experience and a good work ethic. They’ve been in my system for two years and know what’s expected of them."

The two sophomore state qualifiers are district runner-up Dustin Selner (16-12) at 215 pounds and unlimited, and 112-pounder Sid Watson (21-17).

Other returning wrestlers are senior Brad Dussell at 189/215, sophomore Josh Orchard (10-17) at 130 pounds and sophomore Tim Vert at 140.

A promising freshman who did a lot of freestyle wrestling this past summer is 103-pounder Murdock Miller.

Rounding out the squad are senior Steve Fields at 135 pounds, sophomore T.J. Squires at 171, sophomore Donald Sluder at 152/160 and four other freshmen. They are:

Jordan Vert at 119 pounds, Bronco Bravo at 125, Mike Heinrich at 145/152 and Levi Stinnett at 152/160.

Wood River’s schedule of matches is rigorous. Turner said, "We’ve tried to upgrade our schedule because we’ll be going up to 4A next year."

Third-year coach Turner said the new wrestling room at the high school is a great addition for the team.

"The school did an awesome job of providing a large and safe environment for the kids to practice. They seem to be breaking it in well," he said.

Turner added, "All the kids have taken advantage of the weight room and have increased their strength with the help of coach (Brett) Wright."

 

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