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Highline
Thunderbirds Wrestling
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The 2009
Highline Thunderbirds Wrestling Team
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Head
Coach:
Scott Norton - (206)
878-3710, ext. 6055
Assistant Coach: Brad Luvass
Wrestling Practice is held Monday and
Wednesday 4-6pm
for wrestlers in 12 credits on the team only!"
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Congratulations to
these wrestlers :
2008/09 All-Americans
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Justin Purves
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Aaron Smith
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And to these
wrestlers making the
2009 National All-Academic Team
Marshall Giovaninni
157
Casey Park 174
Spencer Calebac 149
Colt Amborn 165
Chessjuan Monk 149
Justin Purves 125
Zach Burnett 157
Mike Morales 197 |
Highline Wrestling is
a program with a solid history and rich in tradition. Built on a
foundation
of strong academics, our wrestling team has experienced
success on the mat and in the classroom.
Our history includes yearly
trips to the NJCAA Wrestling Championships, in Rochester, Minnesota for
qualifiers, where they have competed. Results at Nationals have
produced several Academic
All-Americans and placeholders over the
years.
2009/10 Season Preview
This season we are returning 3 All-Americans:
Justin Purves (125), Aaron Smith
(133), and Marshall Giovaninni (157).
Marshall is easily the front runner in this group having placed 2nd
at the nationals already. In addition, we will have Tyler Story
(165), and 2 x State Champion Jason Gray at
149 lbs.
In one of the deepest weights, Justin
Purves will receive a fierce
challenge from 2 x State Champion Steven Romero.
The winner will be the starter.
At 141, the spot is not clearly determined. Incoming
freshman, Sam Otto
has looked spectacular in his wrestle-offs. However, he still needs to
face Steven Sanchez.
Rounding out the team will be Casey
Park at 174,
Tate Collins (184),
and heavyweight is yet to be determined.
Our first meet will
begin Nov. 6th in
Coeur d'Alene, ID
with matches against North Idaho College
and Cerritos College. We will then compete
in the Mike Clock Open Sunday Nov. 8. Come out and support one of
Washington State’s last wrestling programs.
Scott Norton (Oct. 26,
2009)
2009/10
Top Recruits
Highline has landed some of the top recruits out of Washington. Leading
the way
is 2 x State Champion Jason Gray of Enumclaw. “Jason will most likely
wrestle at
149 lbs. next season. He is an extremely hard worker and we are
expecting him to
make an immediate impact.”
Another State Champion signed with Highline in State Champion Sam Ottow
of Snohomish. Ottow was also a runner-up in 2008. “Sam has always been
one of
the best wrestlers in his weight. Sam will most likely wrestle 133 or
141.”
Rounding out the pack is State Runner-Up Darren Faber. “Darren will
most
likely wrestle at 184 or 197. He is an extremely hard worker and should
do well.”
Highline will bring in 2 x state champion Steven
Romero at 125. Steven wrestled at
112,
so it will be interesting to see how he adjusts to 125. Next, will be
Big Man John Camp who
capped a stellar season with a 40-0 record, including 40 straight pins;
he’s a good one.
Highline will then add more depth with 3 state runner-ups in
Tyler Wooding at
125,
Kyle Foster
157, and Tyler Story
165. Rounding out the group will be California stand out
Joey Kravitz
at 141.
Off
Season
Most wrestlers do not do a lot of training in the off season. However,
this past
summer and spring a few wrestlers worked extremely hard to hone their
skills and give them
an advantage over the competition. The best wrestlers at the highest
levels train year round.
In-coming freshman, Jason Gray
is already leading the team in what it takes to be successful. He
wrestled freestyle in the Spring, and trained in Oregon over the summer,
as well as competed in the Junior Nationals where he became an
All-American. Gray is one of the top recruits in the state.
Highline’s hardest workers came in returners Casey
Park 174 lbs. and Hwt. David Lopez.
"The two trained 1 to 2 times a day on weights and wrestling technique.
The two both made enormous gains, as well as demonstrated their
commitment to the team and sport. Hopefully,
others will learn from their example because they did a great job.
Brad Padgett
became a 4 x All-American at
the National Division 2 wrestling championships.
Brad was a 2 x All-American at Highline, and added two more All-American
finished at
St. Cloud University (Minnesota). Brad placed 4th as a
junior and 3rd as a senior. He just
recently won his second amateur fight at Highline on May. 30. He is won
of the most
fiercest competitors to come out of Highline.
Brad St. Cloud
Former National Runner-Up for Highline is currently ranked #2 in the
nation in NCAA Division 2.
Look for Brad to be a serious threat to the national title, as he
shoots for becoming
a 4 x All- American. Brad finished 4th in the National tournament
last season.
He has been plagued with back problems also season but still remains
ranked 2nd.
Highline Wrestlers who have gone on to
four-year colleges and universities
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Justin Binetti– Dickinson College
Patrick Bradley – Gonzaga
Sean Duffy – Washington State University
Francisco Gonzalez – Washington State University
Anthony Heffernan – Great Falls Montana
Trever Howard – Iowa State
Brandon Hunter – Central Washington
Paul
Kline – Central Washington
Brad Luvass – Washington State University
Yura Malamura – University of Minnesota
(2005
National Junior College champion)
Michael Markey – St. Cloud University
Kyle McCarron– Central Washington |
Jason Mendez – Embry Riddle University
Jon Muri – Great Falls Montana
Brad Padgett – St. Cloud University
Kenny Pewitt – Central Washington
Peter Puccio- Western Washington
Jens Pulver – Boise State
Steve Rider – Western Washington
Shay Scribner – Washington State University
Trevor Smith - Iowa State
Vinh Tran – Central Washington
Peter Troung – Central Washington
Desean Willis – Tennessee Cumberland |
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In order to be on the team, you must be registered for 12
credits, including Wrestling class. If you are a freshman,
you need to take the compass test for class placement, and
you will also need to be registered for a study hall class
too. All wrestlers will be expected to provide Coach Norton
with a print out of their class schedule, and get their own
physical." |
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