Short-handed Bulldogs split first two duals at Best in the West Meet

PASCO, Wash. — It was a bittersweet day for the Sandpoint wrestling team during the first day of the Best of the West Dual meet Wednesday in Pasco, Washington. Bitter in that injuries have thinned the Bulldogs' roster, costing them precious forfeit points in dual format, and sweet in that when the Bulldogs did take the mat, they won the majority of their matches.

In the opening 42-41 loss to Hanford, Sandpoint won seven of the 12 matches that went to the mat, but four forfeits proved too much to overcome. Jacob Knaggs (concussion) and Lloyd Hammack (broken finger) and Timmy Pepperdine are all out until January, costing the Bulldogs much needed depth in the dual format.

In the second match, a 40-34 win over Crook County, the Bulldogs lost only two matches that went to mat, but still won by only six due to the forfeits. Leonard Fister (145 pounds), Paul Marienau (160), Garret Belgarde (103), Jacob Porter (112), Will Hughes (130) and Sid Winter (135) all won their first two matches of the day.

"Sid and Will were dominant," said Bulldogs coach Kirk Hartzell, noting Paul Marienau finally hit his ideal weight of 160 pounds. "He looked so much better wrestling kids his size."

Sandpoint was wrestling against Hood River in the second round of the consolation bracket at press time. Despite being short-handed, Hartzell was pleased with what he was seeing from his wrestlers.

"I'm seeing growth every time these kids step on the mat," said Hartzell. "With the numbers down this tournament is tough for us, but when we're back at full strength the growth will show."

HANFORD 42, SANDPOINT 41

145 — Leonard Fister, Spt, p. Ruane, 2:26.

152 — Clements, Han, p. Sam Sisson, 3:58.

160 — Paul Marienau, Spt, p. Watkins, 2:27.

171 — Hanford, by forfeit.

189 — Hanford, by forfeit.

215 — Finton, Han, p. Terry Taylor, 3:06.

285 — Hanford, by forfeit.

103 — Garret Belgarde, Spt, tf. Hubbard, 17-2.

112 — Jacob Porter, Spt, p. Malone, :50.

119 — Colter Sigman, Spt, p. Ellis, 1:18.

125 — Hanford, by forfeit.

130 — Will Hughes, Spt, p. Gifford, 2:44.

135 — Sid Winter, Spt, p. Isryah, unknown.

140 — Rodriguez, Han, p. Chris Book, 1:33.

Exhibition: 103 — Kyle Csizmar, Spt, p. Hubbard, 1:54.

SANDPOINT 40, CROOK COUNTY 34

145 — Fister, Spt, p. McLaughlin, 1:49.

152 — Sisson, Spt, p. Ough, 3:47.

160 — P. Marienau, Spt, tf. Simmons, 17-1.

171 — Crook County, by forfeit.

189 — Crook County, by forfeit.

215 — Taylor, Spt, d. Vargas, 8-2.

285 — Crook County, by forfeit.

103 — Bellgarde, Spt, p. George, 3:23.

112 — Porter, Spt, md. Gorseth, 14-0.

119 — Jordan, CC, d. Sigman, 17-8.

125 — Crook, County, by forfeit.

130 — Hughes, Spt, md. Hyatt, 15-5.

135 — Winter, Spt, p. Olheiser, :34.

140 — Ziegler, CC, p. Book, unknown.

Exhibitions: George, CC, p. Csizmar, 5:50; McLaughlin, CC, p. Dylan Quigley, 3:18.