TCP; Cougars control action on the mat

This article originally ran at www.theclackamasprint.com. Too see the original, click here.

David Beasley, Sports Editor
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Volume 47, Issue 10
Sports

The No. 4 ranked Cougar wrestling team continued to represent the fighting spirit of Clackamas last Friday. They took out No. 23 ranked Southwestern Oregon Lakers.

The match announcer, Aaron Hall, introduced the wrestlers with crowd-pleasing, fight-style face offs. It was good foreshadowing of the impressive battles that took place. The Cougars showed how hard work and determination pay off. They set a good example for all Clackamas students with their work ethic and performance.

“In wrestling, you’re never done,” said Hall. “You’re working on your weaknesses and strengths a lot.”

The 125-pound division was a forfeit for Clackamas, and Southwestern Oregon’s Matthew Nguyen was awarded the win. The score started out 0-6 in favor of the Lakers.

The first match was CCC’s very talented  C.J. Palmer versus Lucas Garza at 133 pounds. With a bit of a feeling-out process, Palmer finally caught the elusive Garza. Palmer held him with all four limbs up, winning via pin.

“He was really defensive, he didn’t want to wrestle,” said Palmer. “I had to lose four pounds before the meet. I was tired from running. It’s hard cutting weight right before a match.” 

The team score was tied after the first match 6-6. Next, at 141 pounds was CCC’s Robbie Rizzolino against Matt Gay. As Rizzolino tenaciously attempted to catch Gay, Gay executed a spectacular one-handed cartwheel evade. Gay gained the advantage and used excellent control. Gay won by decision. The score was then 6-9 Lakers lead.
At 149 pounds, Kenny Martin faced the Lakers’ Aaron Villain. Martin won the competitive match 7-4 and tied the meet 9-9. The Lakers had to forfeit the 157 pounds match, so the Cougars took the lead 15-9. For the 165 pounds division, Shane Sheppard of Clackamas wrestled Andrew Orr.

A few seconds into the match the referee halted the action for blood on the mat.

“There’s blood everywhere,” he declared.

It was Orr’s nose. At the restart from standing position Orr took a two-point takedown and got a pin. Orr won. The score was tied again, 15-15. Moving up the weight divisions, at 174 pounds, Tyler White was set to wrestle Mikey Ayala of Southwestern Oregon. White had a very good takedown and near-fall, accruing five points, and relentlessly tried to get Ayala’s arm out from underneath to get a pin. Ayala defended the pin, but White won. Clackamas took the lead again, 18-15.

Next up was 184 pounds Cougar powerhouse Adrian Salas versus Kolbjorn Skaflestad.

Skaflestad almost had a two-point takedown but Salas rolled at the last second. The referee called it as off the mat. The Lakers’ coach was very upset with the call. Salas executed a powerful two-point takedown and got two more points controlling the action and then two more. Salas got an impressive pin winning the match.

For the 197 pounds division, Ihoughama Odigizuwa accepted the win for Clackamas, putting the score at 24-15 as the Lakers’ forfeit.

Last, but certainly not least was CCC’s imposing 285 pounds Brandon Johnson against Teran Reedy.

Johnson had a strong two-point takedown and grabbed another three points before almost pinning Reedy. Johnson earned another three points for a dominant score of 8-0. He got another two-point takedown for 10-0 and one point for stalling was awarded to Johnson against Reedy, 11-0. Then one point was awarded to Reedy against Johnson for stalling, 11-1. Johnson executed one of the night’s most spectacular techniques with a takedown slam right at the buzzer. Johnson won 14-1.

“The slam was great,” said announcer Hall. “It was fantastic, the crowd loves those techniques. It gets the crowd into it.”

Johnson’s win put the final meet score at 34-15. Clackamas won, as expected, in dominating fashion. The following morning, Saturday, Jan. 25, the team traveled to Forest Grove for the Boxer Open tournament.
Johnson was satisfied with his team’s performance Friday night. He knew he had to stay consistent in his own game as well to succeed in the championships this season, he said.

“There’s been ups and downs,” said Johnson. “Trying to have more ups right now, just trying to push through being tired, trying to get in shape this season. Third round is usually when I start getting tired. You can lead the whole match and lose it all at the end.”

Palmer had confidence in his team for the remainder of the season and saw the possibility of championship glory.

“The biggest challenge will be getting mentally prepared,” said Palmer. “I think everyone should be ready.”
The Cougars’ last home meet will be against Pacific University on Jan. 30 at 7:30 p.m. Then on Feb. 15 they will head to Rock Creek, Wyo.,  for regionals.

TCP; Cougar wrestling beats #1 ranked North Idaho team

This article originally ran at www.theclackamasprint.com. Too see the original, click here.

David Beasley, Sports Editor
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Volume 47, Issue 9
Sports

Staying true to form, the Cougar wrestling team has dominated much of their competition this season. Clackamas won the Cliff Keen National Duals earlier this month. Last Sunday, CCC hosted the Clackamas Open Wrestling Tournament. Schools from all over the North West attended the event and Clackamas saw seven of its team members place in the top three.

The previous Saturday featured an important meet at Clackamas between No. 4 ranked CCC and No. 1 ranked North Idaho. Clackamas came out on top. In front of a large and excited home crowd Clackamas avenged their loss from December to the top team in the nation 27-14.

First to hit the mat was Clackamas’ 125 lbs. Stevan Knoblauch who won against Jared Miller with a fall. Knoblauch placed first in the 125 lbs. division the next day at the Clackamas Open Tournament. In the 133 lbs. division CJ Palmer also earned a victory for Clackamas Saturday via fall against Zach Mahaney.

The scoreboard read 12-0 in favor of Clackamas. The 141 lbs. division was up. Robert Rizzolino wrestled for Clackamas against Kit Major. Rizzolino won and placed first in the 141 lbs. division the next day at the Clackamas Open Tournament. Daniel Leonard of CCC took second in that division as well Sunday.

The first three matches set a good pace for the team and fired up the crowd. The score was 17-0. At 149 lbs. Kenny Martin faced North Idaho’s Jeremy Golding. Golding won. Martin placed second in the 149 lbs. division the next day at the Clackamas Open Tournament.

With the visiting team finally on the scoreboard at 17-4, the 157 lbs. division brought out Clackamas’ Eleazar DeLuca to face Nico Moreno. North Idaho’s coach accused DeLuca of a choke.

“The coach tried to argue that it was a choke hold, but it was completely legal,” said DeLuca.

Moreno showed some fast escapes, but DeLuca answered with a solid takedown. DeLuca won the match 9-7 avenging his loss from December in Idaho.

“I felt like I controlled it,” said DeLuca. “I would have liked to have been more offensive, my main objective is to be in control in matches.”

DeLuca has had a very successful season so far.

“It’s been pretty good, we won Nationals last week,” said DeLuca. “Every week we just build a little more and keep progressing.”

Commanding a strong lead 20-4 Clackamas next sent 165 lbs. Kyle Bateman to wrestle Tyler Mclean. Mclean had a very good two point takedown in the first round. Bateman utilized excellent control in second round and wouldn’t let Mclean up. Bateman had Mclean’s left arm tied up behind his back. Bateman scored with a relentless two point takedown in round 3.     

Tied, the match went to overtime sudden victory. Mclean won the competitive match with a two point takedown. Bateman placed second in the 165 lbs. division the next day at the Clackamas Open Tournament.
The Cougars were still in the lead with 20-7. At 174 lbs. Tyler White of Clackamas was pitted against Derrick Booth. White grabbed booth’s leg but Booth reversed the disadvantage and took a two point takedown. White managed an excellent reversal after being tied-up on the mat. Booth won 4-2. White pushed Booth in face at end and the ref called unsportsmanlike conduct for pushing in the face after whistle. The officials took two points from Clackamas making it 19-10.

Clackamas still held the advantage however. The Cougars sent 184 lbs. Adrian Salas to battle Johnathan Dennis. Salas won in dominating fashion 17-2 and placed second in the 184 lbs. division the next day at the Clackamas Open Tournament.

Staying well ahead of their opponents at 24-10 the Cougars set up 197 lbs. Ihoghama Odigizuwa to compete against the number one wrestler in the division VJ Giulio. Odigizuwa had a good two point takedown despite Giulio trying to flip out of it. Odigizuwa also executed a great escape. The crowd was very excited, Guilio landed a takedown. Odigizuwa took an impressive win 8-4.

“Last time we wrestled there was a lot of mistakes I made,” said Odigizuwa. “But coach helped me work on those. The hard work in the wrestling room and my conditioning helped.”

Odigizuwa placed first in the 197 lbs. division the next day at the Clackamas Open Tournament and has proven to be a force to reckon with this season.

“It’s been alright, I won some and lost some,” said Odigizuwa. “Been working really hard in the wrestling room.”

A solid 27-10 lead was an assured team victory for the Cougars, but one match remained; 285 lbs. Brandon Johnson of Clackamas against Taylor Kurnoely. Kurnoely won. Clackamas was victorious as the team finished 27-14.

Head coach Josh Rhoden was pleased with the outcome of the meet.

“The kids wrestled great,” said Rhoden. “The number one team in the country came in and we had a good crowd. North Idaho beat us last time. We actually should have won a few more matches.”

The win solidifies Clackamas as one of the top contenders in the NJCAA and puts them at 9-3 for the season. The next home meet will be this Friday Jan. 24 at 7:30 p.m. against Southwest Oregon.

TCP; Women's basketball stays competitive

This article originally ran at www.theclackamasprint.com. Too see the original, click here.

David Beasley, Sports Editor
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Volume 47, Issue 9
Sports

Winter is a good time for indoor sports and the Clackamas women’s basketball team has been heating the coals with a promising start to the 2014 season. With wins over Lane and Southwestern Oregon, Clackamas was 2-1 going into Wednesday’s game against the Chemeketa Storm.

The hard-fought win put Clackamas at 3-1 in league, 14-3 overall for the season. The road to victory last Wednesday evening was grueling and demanded patience. Both teams were methodical and defensive, but the Cougars were able to keep the lead and came out on top.

Much of the game was played at the free throw line as Chemeketa racked up fouls, Clackamas gave up a few fouls as well. The Cougars were aggressive early with nice shot attempts. They lead with a score of 4-0 in the first few minutes. Laci Effenberger started off strong with a good layup scoring two points for a solid 6-0 lead.

“We’re really working on playing possession for possession. The season has been really good, every game is the most important game of the season,” said Effenberger.

Shortly after Chemeketa scored their first shot of the game Tori Wilkinson hit a nice three pointer showing that the Cougars were there to fight the Storm. Clackamas was ahead 11-2 when their next three pointer found it’s mark. Emily Pengelly scored the shot putting the lead at 14-2.

Chemeketa used good offense, bringing the score to 14-5, but Ericka Pengelly scored this time. She hit a nice layup for a 16-5 lead. 

The score had reached 18-11 and Chemeketa fouled Jasmine Gibbs-Brown. Clackamas took a 19-11 lead as she made her first free throw and missed the second. Chemeketa was still struggling to keep up, but they were able to hit a nice outside shot which put the score at 21-15.

Towards the end of the first half, Wilkinson drove the ball through the defense, scoring a layup. The Cougars commanded a 23-15 lead. Continuing their momentum, Gibbs-Brown sunk a nice shot from inside. The score was 25-15; Chemeketa fouled Gibbs-Brown. She hit one of two free throws for a score of 26-15. Chemeketa picked up another foul on Emily Pengelly who missed both free throws. The next foul was called on Clackamas and Chemeketa scored one of the following free throws, but the Cougars had the advantage with 26-16 at the half.
Chemeketa started the second half with the ball and hit a shot bringing the score to 26-18. Rebekah Jamerson found a nice shot earning the Cougars their first basket of the half and 28-18 on the scoreboard. Playing more offensively, Chemeketa tossed a three pointer in. The scoreboard read 28-21.

Chemeketa seemed much stronger beginning the second half. They made a shot during a Clackamas foul that put them closer at 28-23, but they missed both free throws. Chemeketa remained patient despite trailing. They kept up good defense and launched strategic offense as they scored another shot for 28-25.

Chemeketa fouled Emily Pengelly who made her first free throw and missed the second. The score was 29-25. Chemeketa kept the game competitive scoring again. Now 29-27, the Cougars fouled Chemeketa. They scored both free throws, tying the game at 29-29 with 12 minutes left on the clock.

Less than two minutes later, Emily Pengelly took back the lead with another well-timed three pointer for 32-29. A Clackamas foul gave Chemeketa two free throws, both scored for 32-31. Chemeketa then fouled Wilkinson who made both free throws putting the lead at 34-31.

After a timeout, Clackamas fouled again, but it was for a single free throw. Chemeketa missed. Another Clackamas foul put Chemeketa back in front of the basket, making both free throws with 34-33.

Chemeketa picked up another foul on Gibbs-Brown who made both free throws commanding a 36-33 lead. Again Chemeketa fouled Wilkinson who made one free throw for 37-33. Clackamas caught another foul, too, and Chemeketa made a free throw to 37-34. Chemeketa found their next foul on Effenberger with 6:19 left on the clock. She made both free throws. Clackamas lead 39-34.

Chemeketa scored at 5:35 on the clock for 39-36. The infractions were piling up as Clackamas fouled Chemeketa. They made one free throw, taking the score to 39-37. Clackamas called a timeout at 4:43.

Emily Pengelly passed-in to Gibbs-Brown, who scored. At 43-37 on the scoreboard Chemeketa fouled Effenberger who made both free throws, 45-37. Clackamas fouled Chemeketa with 1:28 remaining. Chemeketa made both free throws for 45-39. Chemeketa was scrambling to try and catch up. They called a timeout with 57 seconds to go.

Chemeketa was penalized with another foul call at 0:38. Clackamas missed the single free throw. Chemeketa fouled again immediately after and Gibbs-Brown showed consistency making both free throws for a strong 47-39
lead. She lead in scoring with 14 points in the game.

“We’ve meshed really well as a team,” said Gibbs-Brown. “It feels like I’ve known them for five years but it hasn’t even been a year yet. When it comes down to it when we saw them catching up we really pulled together as a team. Once we came together on defense our offense came together when it counted.”

Chemeketa fouled Wilkinson who made a free throw for 48-39. Then another Chemeketa foul on Effenberger put the Storm further behind the Cougars as she made both free throws for 50-39. Clackamas won 50-39.

Head coach Jim Martineau was happy with the win, but saw room for improvement.

“We’re ranked second in the Northwest,” said Martineau. “We haven’t scored great this year, but defensively this is the best team I’ve been with. We’re three and one in league.”

Effenberger played hard and put some great plays together with her teammates.

“That’s a good win for us,” said Effenberger. “We’re so used to hitting shots, when we’re not hitting them it’s nice to come away with a win, making defensive stops.”

On Friday the Cougars travelled to Roseburg where they lost a close 72-76 game against Umpqua, but they will have a chance for revenge on Feb. 15 when they play Umpqua on home court. The Cougars next home game and chance to avenge their first loss of the official season will be Feb. 5 at 5:30 p.m. against Portland.