FOUR STORIES TO FOLLOW DURING THE WRESTLING SEASON
ORTING’S TEMPLEMAN GOING FOR FOURTH TITLE
Orting High’s Drew Templeman will attempt to become the eighth wrestler in state history to win four individual state championships. Templeman, who won previous titles at 112, 119 and 125 pounds, will compete in the 126-pound weight class this season. Templeman will face a challenge from Royal High’s Danny Barajas, who won the 119-pound 1A championship last season. Three other Orting wrestlers – Taylor Meeks, Garrett Mann and Tony Farrington – have claimed three crowns, but Templeman would be the first to win four. Not only is Templeman going for another individual title, he’s leading the charge for the Cardinals to win a fourth consecutive team title, too.
ENUMCLAW, YELM HEADED FOR ANOTHER CLASS 3A SHOWDOWN?
Since Enumclaw ended Sedro-Woolley’s six-year reign as champion of Class 3A in 2008, the Hornets have won three of the past four team titles. There’s a good chance Enumclaw will add to its trophy haul this season, but the Hornets will probably have to fend off its nemesis Yelm to conquer Class 3A again. The Tornados return three state placers in James Bradley, Dillon Harris and Anthony Allred, plus highly touted freshman Darren Harris. Enumclaw counters with four state placers coming back, including Lucas Somera, who won the Class 3A 135-pound championship last winter.
TAHOMA’S TIME TO SHINE
Could this be the season Tahoma wins its first Class 4A state title? With 12 wrestlers who qualified for the state tournament last year, the Bears are loaded and primed to make a run at perennial favorites Lake Stevens and Mead. Tahoma, which has not lost an SPSL North dual meet in more than three seasons, added one of the best wrestlers in the state when Oregon State-bound Joey Palmer, who won the 125-pound Class 4A state title in 2011, transferred from Rogers High. Palmer isn’t the only state champ on the roster – Steven Hopkins claimed the 103-pound title in 2010.
SOUTH KITSAP’S STREAK CONTINUES
After graduating all four of its state placers, including two state champions, is South Kitsap’s streak of consecutive Narrows League dual-meet victories in jeopardy? If the Wolves’ early season performance is an indicator, the streak, now at 179 consecutive wins, is probably safe. South Kitsap beat Bellarmine Prep and Central Kitsap, two of the league’s better squads, earlier this month.
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