Ravens top Trojans, pin down dual season title

AR’s lightweights launch win; sub-regionals on deck

By Mark Klaas • January 25, 2018 9:30 am
Auburn Riverside’s state-class Yusef Nelson maneuvers around Auburn’s Quinton Weddle during their 120-pound bout Wednesday night. Nelson won by first-round fall. RACHEL CIAMPI, Auburn Reporter

Auburn Riverside jumped out to a 22-0 lead behind its dominant lightweight wrestlers en route to a 39-29 North Puget Sound League Olympic Division regular-season dual meet finale Wednesday night on the Ravens’ mat.

The Ravens swept the Auburn schools to cap a second consecutive 7-0 dual championship season against division foes. They will shoot for another repeat at the league/sub-regional meet at Federal Way’s Todd Beamer High School next weekend.

Auburn, which is retooling under first-year coach Matt Hoover, finished 4-3.

Against the Trojans, it was a neighborhood scrap for the Ravens, who wanted to finish with the undisputed city crown.

“It was a good dual … great environment, awesome crowd,” said Ravens coach Kyle Jones. “It’s always one of our goals … to try to be the best in the city. Our guys came out tonight. To them, it was a pride thing.

“Auburn bumped around and tried to do some things to create some matchup problems, and our guys met every challenge,” Jones said. “They did an awesome job.”

The Ravens got first-round pins from Yusef Nelson (120), Mikah Fathers (132) and Trendae Umi-Tuato’o (285). Blake Fathers stopped Alex Contreras by a 15-4 majority decision at 126. Jaden Cassel received a forfeit win to open the match at 113.

Auburn Riverside’s Peyton Scheschy delivered a majority decision over Tyler Hayes at 152. Jacob Oaks did the same, topping Xavier Jeans, at 170.

At 195, the Ravens’ Sam Onishchenko denied Austin Rhiel behind a third-period, two-point near fall, completing a 5-3 decision.

Auburn’s 182-pound Cole Washburn, who finished third at state last year, handled Jonathan Richards by fall at 1:19. Uriel Parra followed by pinning Andy McCurdy at 1:09.

The Trojans’ Daniel Alonzo (138), Gabe Sena (145) and Mason Rowland (160) scored decisions. Alonzo and Sena won by majority margins, while Rowland posted a 5-3 decision against Arthur Troncoso.

Auburn’s 182-pound Cole Washburn carries Auburn Riverside’s Jonathan Richards during their match Wednesday. Washburn won by first-round pin. RACHEL CIAMPI, Auburn Reporter

Auburn’s 182-pound Cole Washburn carries Auburn Riverside’s Jonathan Richards during their match Wednesday. Washburn won by first-round pin. RACHEL CIAMPI, Auburn Reporter