Five Bulldogs register first round pins at state

NAMPA — Five Bulldogs won their first-round matches as the 4A state wrestling championships got unde rway Thursday at the Idaho Center in Nampa — four that were half-expected and one that was a pleasant surprise.

Garret Belgarde (103), Timmy Pepperdine (112) and Sid Winter (135) each posted first period pins to set an early and inspiring tempo for the Bulldogs.

"It helped having the little guys come out hot," said Bulldogs coach Kirk Hartzell. "The attitude and the way the team competed was great."

Paul Marienau added a pin at 160, and with the aforementioned make the four wrestlers whom Hartzell had predicted would have strong state showings. Terry Taylor (215), the fifth and final Bulldog to win in the first round, was the biggest surprise of the first day's action, also winning by way of pin.

"He came out from the get-go and looked dominant," said Hartzell of Taylor. "It's exciting to see how he's developing."

Leonard Fister (145) had a tough first round draw, nearly going the distance against the No. 3 seed from Columbia, but showed marked improvement from earlier this year when he was pinned in less than a minute by the same opponent. He then registered a pin in the first round of consolation.

Colter Sigman (119) bounced back from a disappointing first round loss to win a 6-4 decision in the first round of consolation. Sam Sisson also registered a pin and remained alive in consolation. Jacob Porter (119), Jacob Knaggs (171) and Austin Posey (285) were eliminated in the consolation bracket.

Hartzell likes the confidence his team is carrying as the championship and consolation bracket action continues today and Saturday.

"The kids are prepared to wrestle," said Hartzell. "A lot of kids can get overwhelmed by the environment, we didn't seem to."

SANDPOINT FIRST ROUND

103 — Garret Belgarde, Spt, p. David Henningfeld, Columbia, :59. 112 — Timmy Pepperdine, Spt, p. Dakota Whiting, Columbia, 1:35. 119 — Kerek Hansen, Nampa, md. Colter Sigman, 16-8. Colton Nielson, Pocatello, p. Jacob Porter, 2:25. 135 — Sid Winter, Spt, p. Kyle Stevens, Kuna, 1:05. 145 — Jordan Ibarra, Columbia, p. Leonard Fister, 5:48. 152 — Jerod Hammond, Burley, p. Sam Sisson, Spt, 3:12. 160 — Paul Marienau, Spt, p. Aaron Kloepfer, Minico, 5:27. 171 — Miguel Simental, Minico, tf. Jacob Knaggs, Spt, 17-2. 215 — Terry Taylor, Spt, p. Tucker Martin, Mt. Home, 2:56. 285 — Dan Shaffeld, Bishop Kelly, p. Austin Posey, 1:00.

CONSOLATION

119 — Sigman, Spt, d. Culley Hendricks, Century, 6-4. Michael Porter, Preston, p. Jacob Porter, Spt, :37. 145 — Fister, Spt, p. Brandon Humble, Middleton, 2:11. 152 — Sisson, Spt, Tim Hazelbaker, Mt. Home, 3:23. 171 — Clayson Spackman, Kuna, d. Knaggs, Spt, 7-0. 285 — Travis Lundquist, Rigby, p. Posey, Spt, 4:07.

? Spartans and Badgers each each post seven first round wins in 3A

James Hegge (112), Chris Pooley (125), Mitchell Grove (130), Justin Lopez (140), Wade Rabidue (145), Cody Rabidue (152) and Mike Peterson (189) each posted first round wins to lead Priest River in the opening round of the 3A state wrestling championships Thursday at the Idaho Center.

Ben Watt (103), Reid Boorman (103), Jeremiah Solt (125), Trevor Hampton (125), Brandon Schmitz (130), Isaih Grey (135), and Dayne Swisher (135) each posted first round wins to lead Bonners Ferry.