The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

SPANGLE - The WP wrestling team traveled to Spangle Saturday to compete against 14 teams in the Liberty Invite, their first meet of the season. Of the four WP wrestlers eligible to compete at the meet, three failed to make weight goals and were forced to compete in a higher class than expected.

David Just, at 138 pounds, was forced to compete in the 145 pound class, giving up nearly nine pounds to his opponents. Just started out strong in his first match against Brock Higgins from Hanford. Just made a mistake 1:18 into the third round allowing Higgins to pin him for the match. Just faced off against Francisco Martinez of Cheney in his second match who pinned Just in round two.

DJ Lalka gave up a few pounds to his opponent due to his weight loss plan as well. The 145 pound wrestler was forced to compete in the 152 pound class, but will wrestle at 145 beginning the 15th. "That is pretty remarkable because last year he weighed in at 180.3. That's a significant amount of weight to lose in a year. He looks healthier and says he feels better," said Adams.

Lalka's first match was against Colfax's Reggie Jones, who pinned Lalka :41 into the second round. Lalka wrestled David Bates from Hanford in his second match. Bates took Lalka down and turned him for a pin immediately in the first round.

Tyler Brooks competed in the 170 pound class. Brooks came out aggressively against Cody Flodine of Clarkston in his first match, taking him to the mat and pinning him in 1:10. Brooks' second match was against Isaac Walters of St. Maries, Ida. Walters took control of the first round and eventually pinned Brooks 1:58 into the second round. Brooks faced off against Brandon Iris from Freeman in a wellfought third match, but was eventually eliminated from the tournament after losing 6-1.

Tyler Hoffman had an excellent day competing in the 185 lb. class. In his first match against Bryce Hart of North West Christian (Colbert), Hoffman pinned Hart :19 into round one. He then pinned Garrett Pederson of Cheney 1:13 into the first round of his second match. He dominated his third match against Trevin Kennedy of Colfax, pinning Kennedy in 1:03 in the first round.

Hoffman advanced to the 3rd/4th consolation finals, facing off against Bryce Hart of North West Christian for the second time. "Tyler went out with a plan but underestimated the desire of Hart to seed redemption from being pinned earlier," said Adams. Hart took Hoffman to the mat and turned him over for a two-point near fall. Tyler started moving and escaped from Hart before taking him to the mat and pinning him 1:50 in round one. The victory earned Hoffman his first high school wrestling medal.

Tristan Newman, who placed fourth at the 2013 State tournament was over the 285 pound weight limit, but should be ready to wrestle on Saturday. Adolpho Armenta will also wrestle on Saturday. Devin Newman should be eligible to compete at Tuesday's meet. Wrestlers travel to Tri-Cities Prep on Tuesday, Dec. 16 for their first league meet of the season. They return to TCP on Saturday, Dec. 20 for the Ray Whitlow Invite.