Husky grappler Kyle Temple has earned a spot on the Oregon Junior National Wrestling Team that will compete in July in Fargo, North Dakota.
Temple, a sophomore, recently placed at the Cadet state tournament at 132 pounds.
“Kyle was added to the Junior National Team a year ago when an opening came up just days before the team left for North Dakota,” Coach Steve Thorpe said. “Kyle made the trip for the experience. He didn’t place but coaches saw how dedicated he is to wrestling.”
Coach Thorpe said Temple focused on his workouts all last winter and has continued through the spring.
“Some of our guys have wrestled five or six tournaments this spring trying to get better and it’s paying off,” Coach Thorpe said.
In other cadet tournament action, Mike Lummus finished fifth in Greco at 143 and Joe Rosa tied for sixth in Greco at 143.
Last weekend, Mike Aerni and Matt Vassar placed fourth and fifth respective at the Junior Freestyle and Greco Roman tournament held in Coos Bay.
Aerni placed fourth in freestyle at 123 pounds and Vassar was fifth in Greco Roman at 220 pounds.
Junior Jordan Johnson finished seventh, just one spot out of placing.
Other Huskies competing were Thomas Rosa at 132, Joe Rosa at 143 and Mike Lummus at 143.
“It was prom weekend, so we didn’t take many guys, but those who went did well,” Coach Thorpe said. “They had a very good experience. I thought every one of our guys wrestled hard.”
Coach Thorpe said Vassar surprised himself placing so well in Greco, a style in which he has the least experience.
“We moved him up a weight thinking 191 would have a lot of entries. Instead, 220 had 20 guys and 191 had only nine. Still, Matt did very well.”
Vassar met some stiff competition including Saunter of Bend who was the state high school champion at 215 in 4A.
Mike Aerni took fourth after being ahead in a match, got caught and pinned.
“Mike had an outstanding tournament. I was very proud of how he wrestled,” Coach Thorpe said. He placed seventh in Greco just out of the top six. His goal was to place in both styles.”
Aerni beat state champion Shantin a cadet freestyle and Oregon collegiate champion.
The Huskies will again host the Oregon Junior National training camp July 15-19. This year’s technicians will include Randy Couture, a Pan Am golf medalist and current ultimate fighting champion.
Also helping will be Matt Linland Olympic Greco Roman silver medalist as well as high school and college coaches from Oregon and Canada.