Huskies take Schutte title

OTHELLO - Deciding that being a cordial host did not include handing over a title at their own tournament, the Othello Huskies made sure their weekend was a successful one.

On Saturday, the host Huskies captured the Leonard Schutte Wrestling Roundup, scoring 246.5 team points.

Chiawana were the runners-up scoring 214.5 points.

"I felt that we had a pretty good week and capping it off with a win at home in front of a big hometown crowd was very rewarding," Othello head coach Ruben Martinez said. "I was a little concerned last week on what type of week it would be, as we were competing on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, with Wednesday being a day for pictures and we really didn't get the kids as ready as we would have liked to.  I guess we came out okay."

Okay may be understating the performance of the Huskies, who got individual titles from Gilberto Villa (112-pounds), Matt Jordan (140-pounds), Eddie Garza (160-pounds), Stevie Garza (171-pounds), and Amando DeLeon (189-pounds).

Villa won all three matches via pin, including one over Chris Montelongo of Chiawana.

Jordan defeated Derrik Cooley of Kamiakin 6-1 in the finals, Eddie Garza won his title match 5-1 over Chiawana's James Garza, and Stevie Garza pinned Chiawana's Joey Valdez to claim the top prize.

DeLeon got past Goldendale's Kurt Wilkins 8-5 in his championship match.

Anthony Barrera (103-pounds), Lucas Garza (119-pounds), and Joey Gomez (215-pounds) all finished second-place in their respective weight classes.

"I am glad that we were able to get eight in the finals and five champions," Martinez said. "Chiawana wrestled extremely well and were well represented in the finals."

The result can only carry even more momentum into the coming weeks for the fortifying Othello team.

"We will have a little stronger team next weekend as we will have couple of athletes drop down a weight and this will make us stronger," Martinez said.