Sports - High Schools

POSTED: Saturday, Jun. 20, 2009

PREP NOTEBOOK: Meridian wrestling opts for Co-Op

Wrestlers at Meridian High School will have to drive to Lynden next year if they want to compete as members of the school's wrestling program.

The Meridian school district has decided to form a co-op with the Lynden High School to keep its wrestling program alive, Meridian athletic director Chad Larsen said in a phone interview.

Trojan wrestlers will still compete in Class 1A, wear the school's black and gold colors, and have a chance to qualify for the state tournament, but wrestling practice will now be held at Lynden High School in conjunction with the Lions' practice.

"We're not eliminating the program," Larsen said. "We're just moving the practices to Lynden. Our kids will still have the chance to compete for Meridian."

The move allows the Meridian school district to eliminate its coaching costs for the sport and save money on transportation, among other things. The school district already eliminated its middle school wrestling program a few months ago as part of budget cuts.

Larsen estimates the move will effect between 15-20 high school wrestlers next season. Meridian will pay $200 to Lynden for each Trojan wrestler on the team to help offset the Lions' added cost. Transportation and conference scheduling issues still need to be worked out, Larsen said.

As far as getting to and from practice, Larsen said Meridian will likely treat wrestling similar to the way golf is handled. In that sport, parents sign waivers allowing the student to drive to practice and it's the athletes' responsibility to get there.

"Really I think this is going to be a good thing for our wrestlers," Larsen said. "They are going to see better competition every day wrestling against those Lynden kids. We struggled to have enough practice partners for our kids this season. In wrestling, the better quality partner you have to wrestle against the better you will be."

PAIR OF SOCCER STANDOUTS GET ODP INVITE

Squalicum's Josh Bramlett and Sehome's Haakon Taylor have been invited to attend a regional camp for the Olympic Development Program.

The juniors to-be are two of 18 players from around the state who received invitations to the camp as selected by Seattle Sounders FC assistant coach Darren Sawatzky.

ODP is a nationwide program that develops high-level soccer players, and consists of several age-group teams. ODP in Washington is sponsored by U.S. Youth Soccer.

ALL-STATE VOLLEYBALL GAMES SET FOR JULY

The annual Washington State Coaches Association All-State volleyball games are set for Saturday, July 18, at Fife High School.

The contests feature some of the best high school senior volleyball players in the state, though no players from Whatcom County have confirmed that they will be playing at this time.

The Class 1A/2B match begins at 4 p.m., the 3A/2A/1B match will start at 6 p.m., and the 4A contest is at 8 p.m.

IOWA DUO NEARLY PULL OFF BACK-TO-BACK PERFECT GAMES

A perfect game is one thing. But Norwalk High School pitchers Matt Dermody and Kole Klocko of Norwalk, Iowa nearly pulled off a perfect doubleheader.

Dermody, a senior, struck out all 18 batters he faced in a six-inning perfect game Monday night. Klocko, a junior, closed the doubleheader against South Tama High with a five-inning no-hitter, striking out 10 while issuing just one walk.

Dermody and Klocko, who are best friends, didn't stop there: Dermody hit home runs in each game and Klocko hit a pair of doubles.

Norwalk won both games 10-0. High schools in Iowa play baseball in the summer, and games are called if a team is ahead by 10 or more runs after five innings.

Iowa High School Athletic Association spokesman Bud Legg said Dermody's effort is the first recorded instance of an Iowa pitcher striking out every batter he faced. Legg said the state's record books go back to 1929.

Dermody, a 6-foot-5 lefthander, was recently drafted in the 26th round by the Pittsburgh Pirates. He said he won't make a decision until the end of summer on whether to go to Iowa or play pro ball.

The Associated Press contributed to this story