Wrestlers perform well at Tulsa

By Bob Mortenson

Herald Writer

They got in with a tough crowd, but showed they could hold their own.

Three members of the USA Everett wrestling team traveled to Oklahoma and competed at the prestigious Tulsa Nationals tournament last weekend.

Eight-year-old Joshua Villani of Everett advanced to the semifinals in the 64-pound weight class. Joshua lost that match 6-0, but came back to claim the third-place medal.

Jonny Gilbertson, 14, of Everett and Kai VanLeuven, 13, of Lake Stevens wrestled well, but did not place in the elite field that included numerous national champions.

Gilbertson and VanLeuven tasted victory, but both were eliminated before making it to the medal round. Gilbertson (82 pounds) lost one match in double overtime and then was eliminated in a 2-0 loss. VanLeuven (115) eventually fell out after a pair of hard-fought, one-point losses.

“Everybody wrestled well, but it’s a tough, tough tournament,” coach Dave Gilbertson said of the venue that drew some 2,000 youth wrestlers to Tulsa. “You kind of see what it’s like at the top level. The kids are from all over the nation and they are just plain tough.”

USA Everett and other local teams will participate in the Kid’s Washington State Folkstyle Championships at Silverdale on Saturday.

Soccer

Eclipse overcomes Eastside in second half: The Lake Stevens U14 girls Eclipse team broke out of a scoreless tie with three second half goals to gain a 3-0 victory over Eastside in a State Cup soccer game held at North Lake Middle School on Saturday. Taylor Cochran converted on a Sam Thomas corner kick to put the Eclipse up 1-0. Kendra Anyan and Amber Fahrney added unassisted goals and keeper Cassie Osborn fended of 11 shots to preserve the shutout.

Gymnastics

Leading Edge tops Mount Baker field: Cameron Chielens, 11, of Everett, Chris Sabin, 11, of Mountlake Terrace and Jonathan Chapman, 14, of Everett, helped the Leading Edge boys to the team title at the Mount Baker Invitational in Bellingham.