2019 sports year in review – Part 2

Some great performances in sports by Weiser High School athletes in 2019 were more than worthy of inclusion in the sports year in the review for 2019. One installment of the Year in Review was not enough to chronicle the year’s most notable athletic achievements.
 There were stellar team efforts by the Wolverines, but there were also individual efforts that showcased the desire to achieve and be counted among the very few who can be called champions.
 There were great and moving moments by others involved in local sports. These, too, deserve to  be highlighted for posterity in part 2.
FEBRUARY
 A total of 23 Weiser High School wrestlers qualified for the 3A state championships in Pocatello after winning both conference and district titles. In team scoring, the Wolverines finished in fifth place at state among 3A schools.
 There were some individual performances that stand out, including the determined quest for a state title at 152 pounds by senior captain Brody von Brethorst.
 Von Brethorst defeated the second, third, and fourth place finishers of the tournament to take first place and a spot on the podium as the best of the 3A division in his weight. He wrestled four tough matches during the tournament to arrive at the championship match, as reported in the Weiser Signal American.
 Von Brethorst donned a vintage jersey from circa 1980s for the final match. The bout went to an ultimate tie-breaker situation and von Brethorst was able to decide which position to be in for the final tie-breaker. He chose the down position and just had to break free of his opponent. Succeeding, he won his first state title with equal measures of toughness and tenacity. Brody’s match was a tough one against a Snake River opponent and second seed in the tournament.
 Other winning matches included Jace Buescher, a freshman for Weiser and a first-year wrestler, who placed sixth at 98 pounds. At 126 pounds, the duo of Kooper von Brethorst and Justin Williamson, both sophomores, tagged-teamed the bracket and were both into the state semi-finals.
 Williamson drew the No. 1 seed and finished in sixth place. Kooper wrestled strong, ending up with a fourth place finish for the Wolverines. At 195 pounds, Paul Crawford, a senior and also a first-year wrestler, took sixth place. Also at 195 pounds, freshman Rylee Willet recorded a fifth place finish.
 At 220 pounds, Darrian Hoobery, a senior captain, had a strong showing and finished in third place for Weiser.
MAY
 The Weiser Wolverines showed tenacity during the SRV District tournament that earned them a trip to the 3A state baseball championships. The Wolverines faced the Fruitland Grizzlies first, lost 7-5 and were looking at an early exit. Weiser rebounded big time to pummel Parma 12-2 in game two, which matched Weiser up once again in the tournament against the Grizzlies. This time around, Weiser had Fruitland’s number and won 8-4, earning a spot at the state championships.
 The Wolverines faced Kimberly in round one of the state championships on May 16 in Idaho Falls. It was deja vu all over again as Weiser got off to a slow start and lost to Kimberly 17-5. Just as they did in the district tourney, the Wolverines dug deep and pounded Priest River in game two 10-0. The win matched Weiser against Timberlake for the consolation title and trophy. The Wolverines wanted it more in a hard fought game that ended in Weiser’s favor with the score 11-10.
 JULY
 Weiser’s Joe Malay has won many trophies over a lifetime of competitive golfing in countless tournaments near and far.
 One he received in July was extra special and he didn’t receive it for a low score. It was presented to Malay by the Idaho Golf Association for his tireless support of game and service to community. His name will be permanently affixed to a golf trophy that stands about 2-feet-tall.