Trio lead Bulldogs at Best of the West

PASCO, Wash. — Will Hughes (130 pounds), Sid Winter (135) and Leonard Fister (145) each went 5-0 to lead Sandpoint as the Best in the West Daul Meet Tournament wrapped up Thursday in Pasco, Wash.

Sandpoint finished the 16-team tournament at 2-3 as a team, done in by a host of forfeits which cost them as each dual was tightly contested. Injuries and sickness forced the Bulldogs to forfeit three matches during each dual, essentially spotting each opponent 24 points.

When the matches did go to the mat, the Bulldogs won more than they lost, highlighted by some strong individual showings, especially from Winter, who because of the rotation of the matches, seemed to wrestle with the Bulldogs' fate hanging in the balance each time.

"We put heavy expectations on him and he delivered every time," said Sandpoint head coach Kirk Hartzell of Winter. "It seemed like whenever Sid wrestled it was to determine whether we'd win or lose."

All five of the Bulldogs' matches were decided by 10 points or less, which speaks volumes about their capability in duals when they're back at full strength. Hartzell said the team is developing confidence, noting they're trying to be successful while learning a slightly new style, and had high praise for Hughes and Fister.

"Will is an emerging wrestler and developing into a consistent winner," said Hartzell. "Leonard has really opened up his offense. He came out explosive in the first period in every match."

Austin Posey, Jacob Knaggs, Timmy Pepperdine and Lloyd Hammack, each of whom missed the Pasco Duals, are all due back for Sandpoint's next meet, which is at Priest River on Jan. 3.

SANDPOINT 43, THE DALLES 33

145 — Leonard Fister, Spt, p. Woods, 1:36.

152 — Sam Sisson, Spt, md. Lovewell, 9-0.

160 — Paul Marienau, Spt, p. Kramer, 1:36.

171 — Dalles, by forfeit.

189 — Dalles, by forfeit.

215 — Hewitt, Dal, d. Terry Taylor, 3-2.

285 — Dalles, by forfeit.

103 — Garret Belgarde, Spt, p. Flores, 1:18.

112 — Jacob Porter, Spt, by inj. default.

119 — Colter Sigman, Spt, p. Lovewall, 1:40.

125 — Dalles, by forfeit.

130 — Will Hughes, Spt, d. Mason, 10-9.

135 — Sid Winter, Spt, p. Simer, :21.

140 — McConville, Dal, p. Chris Book, :54.

TUMWATER 42, SANDPOINT 31

160 — Prentice, Tum, p. Marienau, 3:05.

171 — Tum, by forfeit.

189 — Tum, by forfeit.

215 — Vega, Tum, p. Taylor, 1:03.

285 — Tum, by forfeit.

103 — Page, Tum, d. Kyle Csizmar, 9-3.

112 — Belgarde, Spt, p. Niehally, 1:45.

119 — Porter, Spt, p. Weiks, 2:35.

125 — Sigman, Spt, by forfeit

130 — Hughes, Spt, tf. Higga, 24-8.

135 — Winter, Spt, tf. Hargrove, 19-4.

140 — Madarndo, Tum, p. Book, 1:30.

145 — Fister, Spt, d. Benson, 8-5.

152 — Covington, Tum, d. Sisson, 2-0.

HERMISTON 42, SANDPOINT 34

160 — Massey, Herm, p. Sisson, :43.

171 — Burger, Herm, p. Marienau, 5:43.

189 — Herm, by forfeit.

215 — Taylor, Spt, md. Martinez, 12-2.

285 — Herm, by forfeit.

103 — Csizmar, Spt, by forfeit.

112 — Bellgarde, Spt, p. Del Gado, 3:14.

119 — Porter, Spt, d. Studer, 12-7.

125 — Scotto, Herm, p. Sigman, 1:37.

130 — Hughes, Spt, d. Kilsdock, 11-7.

135 — Winter, Spt, p. Bishop, :27.

140 — Van Vaughn, Herm, p. Book, 1:25.

145 — Pernado, Herm, p. Dylan Quigley, :36.

152 — Fister, Spt, p. Edison, 3:40.

? Freshman girls notch first victory

McKinzi Obaitek scored nine points and Emily Jordan eight to help lead the Sandpoint freshman basketball team to its first victory of the season, downing Moscow 36-30 Wednesday night in Sandpoint.

Natasha Roop added seven points and six rebounds, Lorna Heer added six points and five rebounds and Abby Prummer grabbed five of the Bulldogs 44 team rebounds. Karen Alsager, assistant to head coach Chris Chatburn, said the team employed a tough half-court press and was really excited to beat a rival.

? Mariners agree to terms with Silva on $48 million, 4-year contract

SEATTLE (AP) — No need to tell Carlos Silva how crazy it is that the Seattle Mariners gave him a $48 million, four-year contract.

"It is wild. Everything is wild. Wild is having this life," the 28-year-old right-handed sinkerballer said.

Silva, 13-14 last season with the Minnesota Twins, finalized a deal that includes a $5 million signing bonus and a $12 million mutual option for 2012 with a $2 million buyout. His agreement came after Seattle failed to sign Hiroki Kuroda, who agreed to a deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"It's good money, good for the future of my family," Silva said. "But it's not just the money."

For Silva, this was also a chance to pitch in pitcher-friendly Safeco Field. And some pampering from the Mariners didn't hurt.

"I feel a little uncomfortable that people are treating me this well," Silva said.

Silva's 4.19 ERA last season was better than every Mariners starter other than hard-throwing Felix Hernandez. The Mariners love that Silva pitches deep into games, generally stays low in the strike zone with a sharp sinker and walked just 36 batters in 202 innings last season. Short starts that taxed a good but overused bullpen largely explained why Seattle sunk from surprise contention this past August to a historic swoon in September and still haven't been to the playoffs since 2001.

"In this market, we felt this was the No. 1 guy out there," Bavasi said. "We think this is huge. This is a big add for us."

Silva joins a Seattle rotation that includes Hernandez, Miguel Batista and Jarrod Washburn. Batista became Bavasi's best winter acquisition last year, winning a career-high 16 games after signing a $25 million, three-year deal.