Injury-riddled Bulldogs lose to Lewiston

| January 18, 2007 8:00 PM

LEWISTON — Sandpoint got clutch performances from a couple of wrestlers but couldn't overcome the absence of three starters in dropping a dual 39-36 at Lewiston Thursday night.

"We're kind of weathering the storm," said coach Mike Randles, who's had to juggle his lineups lately to accommodate healthy bodies. "With injuries, against a tough 5A team, you can't spot 18 points and expect to pull something off, even though we almost did."

Randles said Jacob Knaggs (152 pounds) and Will Hughes (130) both picked up big wins to keep the dual close.

"Jacob battled hard. He came back and got a pin and put us in a position to pull it off," said Randles. "Will had another good outing, he's starting to get his confidence."

Timmy Pepperdine, Kyle Meschko and Taylor Morris each recorded pins. The Bulldogs were without Joey Fio, Scott Paramore and Sid Winter, and for a team top-heavy and tailor made for tournaments, it makes duals even tougher.

"One, we're not a great duals team," said Randles. "So with three starters out, we had our work cut out for us."

Fio is expected to return from a knee injury Tuesday against Bonners Ferry. When at full strength, Sandpoint possesses the firepower to take dead-aim at a team state title.

Sandpoint remains in Lewiston today and Saturday for the Clearwater Classic.

LEWISTON 39, SANDPOINT 36

103 — Timmy Pepperdine, San, p. Ryan Glasser, first. 112 — Alec Ward, San, dec. Tracey Huffman 3-2. 119 — D.J. Skelton, Lew, p. James Van Essen, third. 125 — Doug Kenyon, Lew, won by forfeit. 130 — Will Hughes, San, md. Austin Brown 13-3. 135 — Garrett Rodgers, Lew, dec. Darren Thompson 12-9. 140 — Mark Hobson, Lew, p. Cliff Ciszmar, second. 145 — Dalton Skelton, Lew, won by forfeit. 152 — Jacob Knaggs, San, p. Dan Skogrand, third. 160 — Kyle Meschko, San, p. Shane Lohman, second. 171 — Jerod Morris, San, tech. fall Spencer Miles 16-1. 189 — Taylor Morris, San, p. Caleb Einspahr, second. 215 — Paul Merrill, Lew, won by forfeit. 275 — Mark Skogrand, Lew, p. Jesse Peterson, third.