An injury ended A.J. Anderson’s season, but it could have turned out much worse.
Anderson, a senior who competed for the Mariner High School wrestling team, endured a neck injury and was knocked unconscious Dec. 4 during the 160-pound match in a meet against Cascade, Mariner coach Otto Olson said.
The injury happened when Cascade grappler Masih Ahmad used a legal move called a fireman’s carry against Anderson. Anderson’s head was in an awkward position when Ahmad rolled him onto the mat, Olson said.
Anderson ended up on his back and an official quickly stopped the match when he noticed the Mariner grappler was still.
“It was pretty scary when it happened because he wasn’t moving,” Olson said.
A Cascade trainer stabilized the neck of Anderson, who Olson said was unconscious for about 20 seconds. As a precaution, medical personnel eventually transported Anderson to a hospital.
Anderson had neck pain and missed school the next day but returned to class Thursday wearing a neck brace, Olson said. Anderson, who suffered the injury in his first varsity match of the season, will not compete the rest of the season to avoid aggravating the injury, said Olson.
Serious injuries are always possible when you have well-conditioned athletes competing hard, but they are rare, Cascade coach Todd Freeman said. Freeman, who has been involved in wrestling since 1989, said he has only seen five similar injuries and none of them were permanent.
Cascade always tries to have a doctor attend its home meets in addition to trainers, Freeman said. When Anderson hurt his neck a doctor was on site and assisted the wrestler until help arrived, said Freeman.
@3. Headline Briefs 14 no:One-on-one fun
Jackson girls basketball star Kristi Kingma said last week she was thrilled to hear about her brother’s huge varsity debut. Brett Kingma, a freshman who starts for the Jackson boys hoops team, scored 32 points Wednesday in a season-opening victory over Cascade. Kristi didn’t attend because she was busy scoring 30 points the same night versus Monroe.
Asked if she helped Brett (6 feet) develop his skills, Kristi (5-11) said her brother improved the quickness of his shot release by playing one-on-one against her every Saturday on the court in their backyard. Conversely, Kristi said by going against Brett she learned how to shoot over a slightly taller, more athletic defender.
Kristi Kingma, who is averaging 27.5 points per game this season, and Jackson (1-1) will have a big test 7:30 p.m. Wednesday when they play host to unbeaten Meadowdale (4-0), led by guard Eryn Jones (20.5 ppg).
@3. Headline Briefs 14 no:Former Husky honored
Before the start of the Dec. 4 non-conference wrestling meet between Sedro-Woolley and Lake Stevens, 1990 Lake Stevens graduate Richie Chambers was inducted into the Viking Hall of Fame. Chambers, a three-sport star at Lake Stevens, won state titles in wrestling and track and he went on to play football for the University of Washington. A standout linebacker, Chambers earned All-Pac 10 honors and was No. 39 on The Herald’s 2005 list of top athletes in Snohomish County history.
@3. Headline Briefs 14 no:A good omen
Joe Mae Alewine didn’t officially compete in last week’s highly anticipated Sedro-Woolley vs. Lake Stevens wrestling meet. But just before the clash began she provided a glimpse of what was about to happen. Alewine, a Lake Stevens sophomore, edged S-W’s Kendra Wilson by an 8-7 decision in an exhibition girls match before her male teammates blasted the Cubs 46-21. Alewine, who scored the deciding points on a two-point takedown with 72 seconds to go, placed fourth at 103 pounds last season at the girls state championships.
By Mike Cane, Herald Writer
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