This article originally ran at www.theclackamasprint.com. Too see the original, click here.
David Beasley, Associate Sports Editor
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Volume 46, Issue 18
Arts & Culture
“Where do we go from here?” some might ask after Cougar wrestlers said farewell to a large portion of the team.
“I’m real proud,” said head coach Josh Rhoden. “Twelve kids graduated and we gotta’ replace ‘em all, but that means we’re doing good. I’m glad to see it’s working out for those guys.”
Of those departing, three team members answered some “what’s next” questions for The Clackamas Print.
Signed to California Polytechnic Institute, Trent Noon:
TCP: How did you decide to sign?
Noon: I like the coaches. I knew some of the wrestlers and I have a really good partner, Dominic Kastle. The location is awesome. It’s on the beach. It’s a really good school to get a degree from.
TCP: What are your academic plans?
Noon: I’m going to major in communications.
TCP: What is your biggest strength you bring to the team?
Noon: Being an upper-classman I’ll have experience to bring to the table.
Signed to Northern Colorado, Beau Roberts:
TCP: How did you decide to sign?
Roberts: I like the coaches a lot, they are really young and have a lot of energy. I wanted a coach like Rhoden.
TCP: What are your academic plans?
Roberts: I’d like to major in sports psychology and get my teaching degree.
TCP: What is your biggest strength you bring to the team?
Roberts: I really hate losing; I hate it so much I look for new ways to win on the mat all the time. Team chemistry is really important to me.
Signed to Campbell University, Jacob Laden:
TCP: What are your academic plans?
Laden: Major in administration and minor in social work.
TCP: What is your biggest strength you bring to the team?
Laden: My biggest strength? Enthusiasm.
TCP: How do you envision the new experience?
Laden: Going from the West Coast to the East Coast, it’s gonna’ be cool, maybe meet a Southern belle.
A highly skilled and qualified group of wrestlers from various locations across the state and country were recruited to fill the holes left by the transcendent members of the team.
Three time regional champion, three time high school All- American, two-time Oregon state finalist and recent 170-pound Greco Junior Regional champion, Kyle Bateman joined the Clackamas wrestling team from Sandy High School.
Two time Nebraska state finalist and recent state champion, Kenny Martin from Lincoln Southwest High School in Nebraska, helps fill the spot left by Beau Roberts.
A top senior at 170-pounds, Sisto Santana Pina from Kamiakin High School in Washington joined with the assignment of helping out with the 164 and 174-pound divisions after the departure of Noon and 165-pound Niko Hughes. Pina was a three time state medalist for Kamiakin High School in Kennewick, Washington, finishing third once and first twice.
182-pound Adrian Salas from Clovis High School in California joined the team to compete in the 184 and 197-pound divisions. Salas is a state champion, three time state medalist and one of the top wrestlers in the nation for his weight class.
Robbie Rizzolino from Easton High School in Pennsylvania will compete in the 141-pound weight class for the Cougars.
One of the top heavyweight prospects, 285-pound Brandon Johnson joined from Lake Stevens, Wash., where he is a two-time state finalist and the 2013 state champion.
Washington state 152-pound champion Brandon Davidson joined from Bothell, Wash. Oregon state champion Ihoghama Odighizuwa enlisted to the Cougars from David Douglas High School.
Clackamas wrestling also welcomed three-time Oregon State champ Eleazar DeLuca from Phoenix High School. DeLuca won this year’s FILA Junior Greco championship.
With the veterans continuing their journey elsewhere and the new recruits bringing their fresh abilities, next year’s wrestling season promises to be an exciting new experience for Clackamas.
