Season in Review
After a week of going throught wrestling withdrawals, I think I am ready to put the past season into perspective. The Bears had a good year, but as Ben Hill stated, it could have been much better. I keep thinking of the ones that got away. Chris Thoreson, formerly of Benton City, won the state title for Rosalia in A/B. Nick and Matt Pell would have been so much fun to watch had they not moved to Wisconsin. With these three, the team could have won a team title this year. Enough about what ifs, lets dwell on the what dids. The what dids are this:
Ale DeLaPena won his third state title winning 105 of 106 matches over the last three years.
Sergio Avila improved upon a phenominal freshman year to place 5th at state this year.
Josh Corke broke onto the scene and turned some heads on his way to a 7th place state finish.
Jesse DeLaPena made some great strides in getting his first state medal. One to watch next year.
Joey Isley showed flashes of dominance, but an early season injury and loss of mat time may have hindered him late in the season.
Bobby Canales came so close to making state for the second straight year, it would have been nice to see him make it.
Angel Mejia wrestled well all year but couldn't push himself over the top.
Zach Lefevre - with 3 more years of experience he could have done great things.
Josh Corriel showed that he will be a contender for the next three years.
Matt Walsh's season ended in the most gruesome way as he broke his leg at districts.
Ramon DelAngel - injuries once again kept him out of post-season action.
Cody Roos made a trip to regionals and showed that he is one to watch next season.
Josh Grier showed great improvement this year and should have a chance to make it to state next year.
The Bears will miss Ale next year. The 2000-2001 season will be the first year since 1994 that the team will not have a state champion on it. From 1995 through 1998 the Bears had Garrett and Travis Knutson. From 1998 to 2000, Ale DeLaPena was the teams identity. Next year the team will be looking for a new identity. Who will be the next team leader? Will it be Sergio, Josh Corke, Josh Corriel? Or will Jesse DeLaPena take over for his brother and lead the team into this new era. Will an unkown step forward and lead the way?
19 Sophomores and Freshman were on the roster this year. Heading the list of freshman were Josh Corke and Josh Corriel. With a little refinement, Corke could bring home a state title in the next three years. Corriel has a few state trips in his future as well.
Sergio and Jesse are the only two time state participants returning next year and they should each be ready to contend again. Jesse could place in the top 4 at state next year. Jesse has a way of turning a match around in a hurry. Opponents who feel they have a confortable lead on Jesse sometimes find themselves on their backs as Shawn Close of Lakeside found out at state. Sergio is ready to take the next step into the elite group of wrestlers and contend for the state title next year.
Other wrestlers who could make an impact next year are:
Ramon DelAngel - as long as the injury bug doesn't get him again.
Mark McCullough - showed some potential at districts and could have a breakout season next year.
Kyle Nickerson - wrestled tough at districts and could be a late bloomer. Look for big things next year from Kyle.
Devin Leavitt - showed some toughness at districts and could make a step up next year.
Next year will be an interesting year. Wrestlers like Garrett Knutson, Travis Knutson, Nick Pell and Ale DeLaPena have put Ki-Be wrestling on the map. The new generation of wrestlers will be striving to keep up the tradition of excellence.