Wrestling preview | Skyline boasts young, athletic team

There are a lot of young faces on this year’s Skyline wrestling team, but also some very reliable ones. The Spartans return two key components on the boys side in seniors Anthony DeMatteo and Danny Christianson, while two-time state runner-up, senior Alexis Willcher, returns on the girls side. “We’re very young but the coaching staff is optimistic as we have good athletes to work with,” seventh-year head coach Gus Kiss said. DeMatteo and Christianson made state at189 and 152 pounds, respectively, but came up shy of placing in 2009. They are both captains this season. “(They) will provide the needed leadership as team captains,” Kiss said. Also returning to this year’s team are sophomore Jo Tono (112), sophomore Jerred Kiss (119), senior Joey Lim (125), sophomore Christian Caldwell (130), junior Collin Ehret (135), junior Jordan McCaslin (145) and senior Ryan Adamson (171). Freshmen Justin Manipis and Griffen Howlett will help at 103 pounds. “We’ll have a challenge filling all weight classes at the beginning of the season, however, we’re confident that we’ll have a full team for the post season,” Kiss said, noting Woodinville, Inglemoor and Issaquah will be the teams to beat in the KingCo 4A. “We should be in the hunt if everything plays out.” Issaquah locked and loaded Issaquah might be small in numbers, but the Eagles are deep in experience. Six athletes of last year’s 9-0 team return with state experience. Senior Jordan Tanner (125) went 1-2 in last year’s state meet, falling shy of placing. Senior Tyler Volk (171) also participated in last year’s state meet, while junior Sean Novak (130) and senior Ty Morton (112) were alternates. Senior Brandon Pearson also returns state experience after making it in 2007. This year there are 31 athletes on the Issaquah roster — down from what seventh-year head coach Kirk Hyatt said is normally between 40-45. He said it likely has to do with the Issaquah gym being under construction. “Loss of weights will force us to give points at each meet, so (it will take) a lot of extra effort to stay in the hunt for the same outcome as 2009,” Hyatt said. Eastside Catholic ready to roll Eastside Catholic lost two state participants from last year’s team, but second-year head coach Dennis Reddinger likes what he’s seen from a new group he refers to as “Young with a lot of potential.” “They have been performing well early in the season and hope to build on it to finish strong,” Reddinger said. Gone are A.J. Hostak and C.J. Dansforth, but the Crusaders return state participant Ian Smith (130). Sophomore Anthony Roy (145) and state alternate Connor Burns (119) also return. Eastside also gains a strong heavyweight in 285-pound senior Conor Summers, who moved back into the area. Summers already won the Chief Sealth wrestling tournament earlier in the month. Junior Mario Salazar brings depth at 189 pounds, while 215-pounders Connell Totten and Joe Stoutt will battle it out. Reddinger said either one could win the Metro Championship. Eastlake returns experience Anchored by state participant Max Benjamin, the Eastlake wrestling team brings an experienced squad back to the mat this season. Benjamin, who was the first Eastlake wrestler to make the state tournament in two years, moved from 103 pounds to 119 pounds. Trevor McKinnon (160) will share captain duties with Benjamin. “(He) has put in a lot of work through freestyle wrestling, team camp and lifting,” third-year head coach Riley Cornett said. Others returning to Eastlake included Chris Dallas (103), Max Boucher (125), Al Charat (125), Jordan Wiley (135) and Cole Neves (145). Newcomers Brad Leinweiber (285) and Clay Monahan (171) will provide depth at the higher weights.

Contact Issaquah Reporter Assistant editor Kevin Endejan at kendejan@issaquah-reporter.com or 425-391-0363, ext. 5054.

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