The valley’s four wrestling teams competed at the ‘Restling in the ‘Root in Corvallis on Friday night. The winner of the event receives a giant tree root that has been made into a trophy. Each year, the winning team then hangs a smaller medallion on the root to symbolize the win.
Corvallis won the event with a three-point margin over second place Hamilton. Last year, Corvallis won by one point over the Broncs. Florence was third, followed by Stevensville.
Coach Davis of Corvallis said he credited Derrick Gasvoda Weisweaver with helping to get the win. “He’s been hurt and we weren’t sure if he was going to wrestle. But he wanted to because it’s his senior year. He gave us a huge win.”
Each win is worth up to 10 points if a pin is made. Weisweaver defeated Colton Frost of Hamilton at 170 pounds with a pin at 1:30. Tristan Davis pinned Colton Rice at 25 seconds into the match. Tristan Davis is ranked in the state and has a record of 26-1 this year. Coach Davis said all his wrestlers are peaking just in time for the Western A Divisional this weekend in Ronan.
Williams said he was disappointed that the Broncs didn’t win but felt they wrestled well. “It comes down to who’s got the healthiest and most kids. All the teams are dinged up right now.”
He said he likes this tournament because it brings the valley teams together for one last time. He said they are all friends and with the post season next week, everyone is working hard.
Williams said that the Broncs are waiting on a couple of wrestlers to get doctors’ clearances. Noah Hurst, at 170 pounds is a state contender. Kole Anson recently returned at 138 pounds and is also looking good.
Florence has been hurt by injuries, especially with the older wrestlers. But coach Bryan Volkmann has hopes for his young team. He said Luke Maki, a 205 sophomore will make a splash. Maki pinned Cadigan Wheat from Hamilton at the tournament.
The ‘Root results
1-2 place matches
103 Andrew Carmondy Ham pinned Ashton Slate Bugler Flor.
113 Jesse Anson Ham major dec Johnathan Williams Cor
120 Kanyon Stocker Cor. pinned Logan Bratch Ham.
126 Dalton Weidow won by forfeit
132 Aiden Meinzen flo. pinned Jason Davis Cor
138 James Wissenbach Cor pinned Cole Anson Ham.
145 Triston Davis Cor. pinned Colton Rice Flo.
152 Zach Dixon Flo. pinned Dylan Jane’s Stevi.
160 Bridger Williams Ham pinned Tristan Rehl stev.
170 Derrick Weisweaver Cor. pinned Colton Frost Ham.
182 Derrick Saltzman Ham. pinned Ben Holtzen Cor.
205 Luke Maki Flo. pinned Cadagen Wheat Ham.
285 Brock Jones Ham. won by forfeit
3-4 place matches
103 Kiera Davis Cor. won by forfeit
113 Hannah Hurst Ham. Won by forfeit
120 Oliver Post Flo. pinned Seth Allen Ham
138 Nate Davis Cor. pinned Jeffery Berryman Stevi
145 Ethan Cramer Ham. pinned Nate Broch Cor.
152 Liam Sutherland Cor. pinned Wojciech Goeiskie Stevi.
170 Aidan Tollefson Flor. won by forfeit
182 Jarred Weaver Flo. won by forfeit