Shorecrest Wrestling places 2nd at Lynnwood Classic Tournament

As a team, Shorecrest wrestling won 2nd place
in an 11 school tournament

Photos and text by Sean Rhodes

The Shorecrest High School Wrestling Team set a new school record by placing 2nd out of 11 competing schools at the Annual Lynnwood High School Classic Tournament on Saturday, December 15, 2018.

3rd from left David Rivera (Senior), Champion, “Outstanding Wrestler”
won all his matches by pin.

In the history of the tournament, Shorecrest has never placed better than 4th in this early season contest. Among the schools competing were: Blaine (Champions), Shorecrest (2nd Place), Kamiak, Mariner, Meadowdale, Cascade, South Whidbey, Archbishop Murphy, Mountlake Terrace, Lynnwood and Anacortes.

The key to the increased success for Shorecrest Wrestling was a combination of factors. For one, there was a larger turnout of athletes this year (Shorecrest has a competition-level wrestler at almost every weight class this year). Also important was more intensive coaching earlier in the season.

#1 Kaiya Conway-Yasumura (132lb Champion)

 

Perhaps most importantly, the coaches are really stressing the importance of the “team dynamic” this year. Brent Busby (Shorecrest Head Coach) is constantly reminding his wrestlers to “think of their teammates” both on and off the mat. He often tells the wrestlers “A man can’t see if all he sees is himself!”

The call for unity seems to be paying off. Wrestling seems like an individual sport, and to a large extent it is. However, an individual wrestler cannot improve during the season unless his teammates are supporting him, challenging him, and holding him accountable for his actions.

#2 Thomas Rhodes (Freshman), 2nd Place

There is also an intangible “the whole is greater than the individual parts”. There are wrestlers on the roster who can only participate in JV or exhibition matches because of physical or developmental challenges resulting from Autism and other limiting conditions, but the “heart” they bring to the wrestling room benefits everyone on the team.

2nd from left Roman Shadduck (Senior), 3rd Place

Another factor is the addition of Zack Espil (Shorecrest Japanese language teacher and weight lifting coach) as a conditioning consultant this year.

2nd from left Arthur Christopher (Junior), 3rd Place

Shorecrest also added Coach Louis Uhm a few years ago. Uhm’s technical knowledge of the sport and no-nonsense communication approach with the wrestlers appears to be paying dividends as well.

Overall, the team seems to be hitting its stride!

Left, Ian Mortensen (Junior), 3rd Place

Individual results (top 3 placers) for Shorecrest High School at the Lynnwood Classic Tournament:

106lbs - Thomas Rhodes (Freshman), 2nd Place
113lbs - Roman Shadduck (Senior), 3rd Place
132lbs - Kaiya Conway- Yasumura (Junior), Champion
145lbs - Arthur Christopher (Junior), 3rd Place
152lbs - Trentyn Good (Junior) - 3rd place (not pictured)
170lbs - Ian Mortensen (Junior), 3rd Place
285lbs - David Rivera (Senior), Champion, “Outstanding Wrestler” - won all his matches by pin.