PREP WRESTLING: Boys to watch

Published 5:35 pm Thursday, December 10, 2009

Note: All state rankings found on WashingtonWrestlingReport.com

Josh Heinzer, Sr | Lake Stevens

2008-09 recap: Placed first in the 4A 112-pound weight division, earning a second straight individual championship and helping the Vikings earn their third consecutive team title.

Preseason ranking: 4A No. 1 at 119 pounds.

Outlook for 2009-10: Heinzer, who won a 103-pound state title in 2008, hopes to become the first Lake Stevens wrestler to win three straight individual championships since Kelly Kubec (2005-2007). In addition to competing in a national tournament this past summer, Heinzer got stronger. “He’s been in the weight room quite a bit,” Lake Stevens coach Brent Barnes said, “so he’s ready to make a run at another title, I’m sure.” Heinzer’s teammates Steven Walkley (135) and Jacob Anderson (145) are also ranked No. 1 in their respective 4A weight divisions.

Alec Bird, Sr | Everett

2008-09 recap: After placing second at district and regional tournaments, Bird was somewhat of a surprise at state, winning the 3A 215-pound championship.

Preseason ranking: 3A No. 1 at 215 pounds.

Outlook for 2009-10: Bird is “stronger than an ox,” according to Everett coach Brien Elliott, but the senior must focus on using good technique to reach his true potential. Everett coaches are “trying to get (Bird) to be more of a technical wrestler than a strength wrestler,” Elliott said. This past summer Bird, who plans to wrestle in college, worked with a private trainer and attended numerous camps.

Micah Morrill, Sr | Snohomish

2008-09 recap: In his first season at Snohomish, Morrill placed third in the state at 152 pounds, finishing behind a pair of seniors.

Preseason ranking: 4A No. 2 at 160 pounds.

Outlook for 2009-10: Bumping up a weight class, Morrill is behind only one wrestler in the 160 state rankings: sophomore Jordan Rogers from Mead of Spokane, who won the 140-pound title last season. Morrill might drop to 152 at some point this season, Snohomish coach Rob Zabel said. “He’s coming in in pretty good shape,” Zabel said of Morrill, who ran cross country in the fall. “Those guys run a lot so it’s helped. He’s got great endurance.”

Demitri Robinson, Jr | Marysville-Pilchuck

2008-09 recap: For the second straight season, Robinson practiced and competed with Marysville-Pilchuck during the regular season and then represented Tulalip Heritage (the school he attends, which doesn’t have a wrestling team) in the postseason. He placed third in Class B for Tulalip at 125 pounds, after winning the 103 title in 2008.

Preseason ranking: B No. 2 at 130 but will compete in 4A.

Outlook for 2009-10: Tulalip joined Marysville-Pilchuck as part of a co-op program so Robinson will represent M-P all season for the first time. It means Robinson will take on 4A foes in the postseason, not B opponents like before. “It’s going to be a heck of a step up,” M-P coach Craig Iversen said, “but that’s one of those things I think we’re blessed in — our (Wesco North) league is a real head-bangers league. Guys get to see where they’re at and match up against some of the state’s best.”

Brad Gee, Sr | Stanwood

2008-09 recap: In his first season wrestling for 4A Stanwood after two successful years at 2A Archbishop Murphy, Gee got a staph infection in his shoulder that, in part, prevented him from qualifying for the state meet.

Preseason ranking: 4A No. 4 at 215 pounds but will compete at 189.

Outlook for 2009-10: In the first week of practice, Gee tore cartilage in his knee during a drill. He will have the knee scoped this weekend and should return to action after Christmas break, Stanwood coach Ray Mather said. The injury is the latest in a lengthy list of health setbacks for Gee, the 2A state runnerup (189 pounds) in 2008. “It’s frustrating on everybody’s part — a lot of potential that doesn’t get to be used,” said Mather.