Wrestling earns KingCo conference title
After wrapping up their regular season with a win over Woodinville last Thursday, the Islanders wrestling team took hold of the Crown Division KingCo conference title.
MIHS went undefeated in the dual meet season, finishing at 16-0 before the postseason begins this weekend at the 3A KingCo wrestling championships.
The team also finished the regular season with third place or higher finishes at six invitational tournaments.
Last week 12 members of the team competed in the KingCo qualifier at Bellevue High School, with the top two finishers in each weight class earning the right to a spot at the KingCo tournament in February. From now until the state meet during the third weekend in February, wrestlers must win top spots in order to advance to the next tournament.
See a full list of individual results online at www.mi-reporter.com.
Gymnastics team points away from postseason goal
The Islanders gymnastics team wrapped up its regular season last Thursday, during a loss to Woodinville.
“It was a fun meet; we weren’t expecting to beat Woodinville by any means, but we had a really good time,” said head coach Lenny Lewis. Several of the team’s starting varsity members were out because of injury, and Lewis said he kept them out of the meet so they will hopefully be able to compete in the league meet on Feb. 6.
While the season might have been capped off with a loss, the team is just points away from making its postseason goal of getting to districts. Mercer Island currently sits in fourth place in the league, said Lewis. The top three teams qualify for districts, and right now the Islanders need a minimum of six points to surpass Liberty, which sits in third.
The top six girls in each event will compete at the league event, held at Mount Si High School starting at 9 a.m. on Feb. 6.
“I’d like to see everyone hit,” said Lewis of his goal for this weekend. “I’d like them all to have clean routines, regardless of if they go on or not. Just to have a nice clean meet, and go home happy.”
The team’s weakness continues to be bars, Lewis said.
“Bars is killing us,” said the coach. “We’ve got three nice bar routines, but they’ve only all hit once, and this would be a good time to hit it again. That could make the difference if we make the postseason or not.”
Olympics coverage online
In honor of this month’s Olympic Games, check out the Reporter Newspaper Group’s online Olympic coverage, Passport to Vancouver 2010.
The blog features interviews with local Olympians, updates on their progress and tidbits about the Games.
If you’re planning to head north for the Games, please let us know. Contact Megan Managan at mmanagan@mi-reporter.com or Wesley Remmer at wremmer@bremertonpatriot.com.
Currently, five locals have been confirmed as representatives of the United States: J.R. Celski in speed skating, Nicole Joraanstad in curling, Christian Niccum in doubles luge, Apolo Ohno in speed skating and Bree Schaaf in bobsledding.
During the Feb. 12 Opening Ceremonies, the blog coverage will include a live chat during the first two hours of the event.
The Games run from Feb. 12 through Feb. 28 in Vancouver and Whistler.
Visit http://blogs.pnwlocalnews.com/olympics for more information.
