The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WAITSBURG – The Waitsburg Cardinal wrestling team traveled to Ritzville on Sat., Jan. 26 for a non-league match, then to Pomeroy on Sat., Jan. 30, for the final league meet of the season.

Ritzville Mix & Match

At the Ritzville non-league Mix & Match tournament the Cardinals faced off against Ritzville, Pomeroy, Almira-Coulee-Hartline, and Moses Lake. Both Dejay Lalka and Tristan Newman walked away with wins.

Heavyweight Tristan Newman (285) won both of his matches, pinning Joe Benedict (LRS) in 1:02 in match one and pinning Tucker Guiles (LRS) in 1:46 in his second match.

“He got the inside control and took Benedict down with a bear hug. After that, it was just a matter of time before the ref’s hand slapped the mat,” said Coach Lanny Adams, describing Newman’s first match. “He controlled the next match as well,” Adams added.

Dejay Lalka (138), who competes with just one leg, also scored double-wins. Lalka pinned Robert Hipolito (ML) in 4:14 for his second career win and his first win by pin. He then pinned Jospeh Robertson (ML) by fall in 4:46.

“A very well-wrestled match. Class act by Mr. Hipolito! I don’t think there was a dry eye in the stands,” Adams said, describing match one.

“Dejay was working for moves and hitting them. Probably some of the best sportsmanship I have seen in a long time. Only in wrestling would something like this happen,” he said, describing the second match.

David Lewis (113) and David Just (138) didn’t win but both wrestled well, according to Lanning.

“All of the wrestlers showed improvement. Everyone was working for moves and countering the opponents move attempts,” Adams said.

Pomeroy League Meet

The Cardinals racked up several wins inn Pomeroy, where they wrestled against Colfax, Gar-Pal, Reardan, Liberty (Spangle), Lind-Ritzville, and Pomeroy.

Carlos Norris (113) won by an 18-2 decision against Jonas Canup (Colfax). Ky Adams (145) won by an 10-5 decision against Thomas Perryman (Liberty). Joe Adams (170) won by a 2-0 decision against Mason Payne (Reardan). Tristan Newman (285) got the lone pin of the night, dropping Hunter Dawley (Reardan) in 1:11.

The Cardinals head to Liberty High School for the sub-district tournament on Sat., Feb. 6. The top four wrestlers from that tournament will advance to the regional meet at Reardan on Feb. 13.

Current seeding placements are:

113 Carlos Norris (1), David Lewis (2)

138 David Just (4), Dejay Lalka (6)

145 Ky Adams (3), Devin Newman (5)

170 Joe Adams (4)

285 Tristan Newman (1)