Knights take Royal Rumble title, Wahluke third

ROYAL CITY - The Knights claimed five individual titles to win the Royal Rumble wrestling tournament at Royal High School last Saturday.

Once again the Knights demonstrated why they are going to be a factor in the post-season, which is just three weekends away.

Meanwhile, Wahluke had a good showing at the Rumble, taking one weight-class title, and third-place overall with 146 points.

Royal won the title with 225.5 points. Reardan had 166 for second place. Burbank finished seventh and River View, eighth.

Royal's champions were Brian Gallardo at 106 pounds, Alex Hernandez at 113, Carlos Hernandez at 120, Danny Barajas at 132 and Laddie Goroski at 145.

Gallardo won his crown with a pin of Othello's Manny Martinez in 2:44 in the final. Alex Hernandez claimed his title with 2-1 squeaker over Christian DeLaRosa of Royal.

Carlos Hernandez defeated Francisco Rodriguez of Naches in a    tough 9-6 decision in his finale. Barajas scored a 12-5 decision over Nathan Socrci of Reardan.

Goroski topped Kaare Anderson of Reardan, 5-1, for his title. He survived a tough semifinal, 6-3, against Jacob Moore of Pomeroy.

Alberto Cruz was the title winner for Wahluke. He swept through the  220 division with a 15-second pin in the semifinals and a pin of Eli Curtsinger of Naches, in 1:34, in the final.

Wahluke's placers were Antonio Gomez, fourth at 106, Brandon Cuevas, fourth at 113, Victor Sandoval, second at 126, Misael Sanchez, third at 132, Giovani Nolesco, third at 138, Mario Herrera, third at 152, Jack Yorgesen, fifth at 160, Antonio Martinez, fifth at 170 and Tyler Yorgesen, fourth at 195.

Placing for Royal were Christian DeLaRosa, second at 106, Alex Myrick, third at 160, and Damien DeLaRosa, second at 195.

There were no placers at 182 as that division was combined with 195.