Wesco stars enjoy cultural exchange
Published 11:44 pm Tuesday, January 8, 2008
SNOHOMISH — The Snohomish County wrestling community got a taste of some Far East wrestling Tuesday night in an exhibition meet against the Japanese National team at Snohomish High School.
Though it wasn’t so much about the wrestling as it was about the cultural experience.
“That’s what its about, the cultural part. One of the coaches said ‘I’ve never seen kids smile so big after losses,’” Snohomish head coach Kevin Judkins said.
Wrestling under international rules with weight classes in kilos rather than pounds, the Japan squad dominated the meet winning 47-12.
“It was a good crowd. The wrestling community came out to support the local kids,” Snohomish head coach Judkins said.
Shorewood’s Tim Hester was the lone winner for the Wesco All-Stars against a Japan squad that features kids that are in the top three in their country.
“The kids had a great time and will definitely remember this for a long time,” Judkins added.
At Snohomish H.S.
59—Suzuki (J) def. St. Marie (Sno) 12-7; 65—Watari (J) def. Perry (Sno) 11-2; 116—Masuda def. Pfeiff (MP) 5-0; 56—Takayasu (J) def. Ottow (Sno) 4-1; 60—Kagabu (J) def. Duncan (C) 9-3; 65—Sasaki (J) def. Murray (M) 7-1; 70—Nagao (J) def. Myers (A) 7-0; 70—Goto (J) def. Irwin (E) 12-0; 75—Kuwbara (J) def. Bittinger (J) 14-0; 79—Hester (SW) pinned Tokuyama, fall second period; 80—Morioka (J) dec. Munoz (K) 6-4; 121—Mukai (J) pinned Davis (A) first period; 59—Suzuki (J) beat Patrick (MB) 16-3; 65— Watari (J) def. Garcia (Sno) 8-0; 116—Masuda (J) def. Dickerson (A) 5-0.
