Editor’s note: This article has been shortened due to space constraints. For more on boys swim and dive and girls bowling, go online to courierherald.com.
The world of Plateau prep athletics begins to hit its peak this week, with postseason wrestling and swimming on the agenda, not to mention a pair of Battle of the Bridge basketball pairings.
Here’s a look at where things stand as the stakes get higher and the excitement level builds.
BASKETBALL
With the regular season set to conclude Friday, it has been another banner year for Plateau hoops.
Through games of last week, the four local teams – that’s boys’ and girls’ programs from both Enumclaw and White River high schools – have combined to post a winning record of 58-18. Even more impressive is how the Hornets (both schools) have done against the rest of the South Puget Sound League 2A. When facing league foes, the Plateau teams have won 47 of 54 contests.
Heading into this final week of league competition, the White River girls were a perfect 12-0 in league play; the Enumclaw squad was just a step behind at 12-1.
On the boys’ side, Enumclaw led the league with a 14-1 record. White River was fourth in the standings with a winning record of 9-5.
Those numbers will move around a bit as Enumclaw and White River wrap up the league season this week. The girls’ teams will meet on Thursday and the boys’ squads will square off Friday; both games will tip off at 7 p.m. in Chuck Smith Gym on the EHS campus.
The girls’ District 2/3 basketball tournament will kick off Feb. 14 and the boys will open district play on the 15th; both tournaments will conclude Feb. 18.
Logan Senon (0) is fouled as he drives through the lane. Details from both games can be found in Sports Roundup. Photo by Kevin Hanson
BOYS WRESTLING
Select wrestlers from throughout the area – including nine from White River and six from Enumclaw – will head to North Mason High School in Belfair for Saturday’s regional competition.
The stakes are high in Belfair, as the top four finishers in each weight class will advance to the Feb. 17-18 state championships. Mat Classic will again be staged in the Tacoma Dome, bringing together grapplers from schools of all sizes, from all corners of the state, for both boys’ and girls’ competition.
The postseason trek began last Saturday, Feb. 4, with a subregional tournament at Orting High. From there, the top four in each class advanced to this weekend’s regionals.
White River boasted a pair of subregional champions in Riley Simmons, 220 pounds, and Hunter Oswold, 138. Both were undefeated on their way to a title.
Others advancing from the WR ranks were Chase Campbell, second place at 182 pounds, and Caleb Dale, second place at 145; Caleb Evanger, third place, 120; Christopher Bowen, fourth, 195; Joshua Hanson, fourth, 126; Trevor King, fourth, 145; and Ryan Miller, fourth, 170.
Among the six EHS wrestlers moving forward were a pair of subregional champions. Mason Elder took top honors at 152 pounds and Westin Triplett placed first at 160. Each received a first-round bye and then won three straight matches to earn the title.
Others securing a regional berth were Zeke Luchi, second place at 285 pounds; Caleb Grantham, third place at 132; Sean Hong, third place, 182; and Wyatt Gibson, fourth place, 160.
In the subregional team standings, White River placed second behind a dominant Orting squad while Enumclaw finished fourth in the nine-team field.
Swimmers from Enumclaw and White River high schools wrapped up the regular season Jan. 31 with a successful home meet against a combined Franklin Pierce/Washington squad. In this photo, White River’s Mason Arnold is on his way to victory in the backstroke. Photo by Kevin Hanson
BOYS SWIM & DIVE
With the league meet now just a memory, swimmers from Enumclaw and White River high schools can turn their attention to this week’s district competition and, hopefully, the season-ending state meet.
The first step following the conclusion of the regular season was the Feb. 2 SPSL 2A meet, where the Enumclaw High squad placed third in the team standings; White River, with just four competitors, finished fifth in the seven-team field.
Now, athletes focus on the district meet, set for the pool at Mount Tahoma High in Tacoma.
An initial list – which could expand – shows EHS will have at least three swimmers in individual events, along with entries in the medley relay, the 400-yard freestyle relay and the 200-yard freestyle relay. Competing individually will be Dean Paulson in the 100-yard freestyle and 100-yard backstroke; David Prince in the 500-yard freestyle and 100-yard backstroke; and Connor Strong in the 100-yard backstroke.
White River’s Mason Arnold will compete in the 200-yard individual medley and 100-yard breaststroke and teammate Conroy Meyers will be entered in the 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard backstroke. White River also will be represented in the medley relay and 200-yard freestyle relay.
Top performers will qualify for the three-day state meet, which features swimmers and divers from all classifications. They will gather Feb. 16-18 at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way.
GIRLS BOWLING
A pair of White River bowlers wrapped up the winter season with an appearance in the Class 1A/2A state tournament.
The Feb. 3-4 tourney was staged at the Bowlero center in Tukwila and brought together competitors from schools of all sizes. Aside from the 1A/2A division, there were separate contests for Class 3A and 4A bowlers.
Representing White River were freshman Shelby Lee and senior Elizabeth Fisher.
Lee opened with a three-game series of 92, 131 and 110, for a 333 total. Next came a three-game total of 337, which includes games of 90, 124 and 123, putting her at 670 for the six-game tournament.
Fisher started with a series of 297, rolling games of 90, 115 and 92. Her second round of games included scores of 93, 113 and 124, for a tourney total of 627.
The tournament’s top individual honors went to Piper Chalmers from W.F. West High School. She rolled three games of 200-plus and totaled 1,206 for a 201 tourney average. Her W.F. West squad also took the team championship.
