The 5A Special District 4 wrestling division is one of the toughest in the state, with Hermiston, Pendleton, Hood River Valley, Bend, Mountain View, Redmond, Ridgeview and Summit as just some of the heavy hitters.
But The Dalles varsity members Joe Linebarger, Colton Lee, Jeff Jimenez, Ben Waters and Cole Davis are just some of the standout names poised to chalk up top-4 finishes.
If they are fortunate to accomplish that, they will tally a state qualification and a trip to Portland.
Before making those reservations, however, they must perform well in the two-day regional meet starting at 7 p.m. tonight at Vannet Court on the campus of Hood River High School.
Last season, The Dalles had three grapplers make state appearances with just Linebarger and Mitchell Waters as the lone returners hoping for repeat efforts.
Linebarger, a junior, heads into action as the No. 1 seed in the 220-pound classification.
“He has dominated our new districts going undefeated,” said TD assistant wrestling coach Chad Sperry. “He will be our best bet for qualifying for state.”
Unfortunately for Waters (152), who was seeded entering regionals, he sustained a back injury and will not be able to participate.
“He has been working with the physical trainers from Mid-Columbia Medical Center, but they are unable to get him to the point he can wrestle,” Sperry said of Waters.
After tonight, the consolation and championship rounds are set to take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, running until the early evening.
Lee (145) and Jimenez (220), both seniors, could be in contention to make a few waves in their brackets and Davis (113) comes in with a lot of experience and can make a top-6 finish if he has a great tournament.
Ben Waters, Maverick Winslow, Jacob Schacht, and Aaron Popper are come into this looking to gain valuable experience in their first years, but given the unknown, anything can happen in the squared circle.
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