Busy Bulldog wrestlers drop two duals

RATHDRUM — Sandpoint got an up close and personal look at two of the top 4A wrestling teams in Idaho, falling 53-27 to Nampa and 52-18 to Columbia in a dual doubleheader Thursday night at Lakeland High School.

Garret Belgarde (103 pounds) and Timmy Pepperdine (112) each won both of their matches to lead Sandpoint. Both of Pepperdine's opponents were returning state placers at 112 pounds, solidifying his status among the state's top wrestlers, and teaming with Bellgarde to give the Bulldogs a potent one-two punch.

"Garret and Tim back-to-back makes us explosive at the lower end," said Bulldogs coach Kirk Hartzell. "Both are coming out explosive and are focused on preparing for the state tournament."

Leonard Fister (145), Sam Sisson (152) and Paul Marienau (160) posted three straight pins for a nice run in the middle weights against Nampa to round out the scoring.

Against Columbia, the top-ranked duals team in 4A, Sid Winter pinned his opponent in 45 seconds to team with Belgarde and Pepperdine for the only Bulldog wins.

After dual wins against Timberlake and Newport on Tuesday, coupled with Thursday's two duals, the weary Bulldogs get little rest as they take on Chewelah today at 4:30 p.m. in the first round of the River City Duals at Post Falls High School, before facing Capital High School of Boise at 7:30 p.m. Saturday they'll face Wallace at 10:30 a.m. and Rogers at 2 p.m. If they finish in the top 10 after the first four duals, they wrestle in the final round Saturday night at 5 p.m. The 11th-22nd place teams wrestle Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

NAMPA 53, SANDPOINT 27

Hvy — Martinez, Nam, p. Austin Posey, 1:25.

103 — Garret Belgarde, Spt, p. Irwin, 3:50.

112 — Timmy Pepperdine, Spt, d. Hanson, 11-5.

119 — Hanson, Nam, p. Jacob Porter, 3:02.

125 — Geoff, Nam, tf. Colter Sigman, 15-0.

130 — Meland, Nam, p. Will Hughes, 2:45.

135 — Phueson, Nam, p. Sid Winter, 3:20.

140 — Erkelen, Nam, p. Chris Book, :47.

145 — Leonard Fister, Spt, p. Pauza, 1:25.

152 — Sam Sisson, Spt, p. Bostron, 3:30.

160 — Paul Marienau, Spt, p. Bun, 3:00.

171 — Huntsinger, Nam, p. Jacob Knaggs, 5:21.

189 — Pieveson, Nam, p. Lloyd Hammack, 1:55.

215 — Ramos, Nam, p. Terry Taylor, :48.

COLUMBIA 52, SANDPOINT 18

103 — Belgarde, Spt, p. Henningfield, 2:45.

112 — Pepperdine, Spt, p. Sallinas, 1:30.

119 — Powell, Col, p. Porter, 5:37.

125 — Birch, Col, p. Sigman, 1:20.

130 — Packard, Col, p. Hughes, 3:10.

135 — Winter, Spt, p. Preshen, :45.

140 — White, Col, tf. Book, 15-0.

145 — Ibard, Col, p. Fister, 3:30.

152 — Beck, Col, p. Sisson, 1:58.

160 — Kim, Col, md. Marienau, 13-2.

171 — Dishman, Col, tf. Knaggs, 15-0.

189 — Vaughn, Col, p. Hammack, 1:34.

215 — Hicks, Col, p. Taylor, 1:42.

Hvy — Miranda, Col, p. Posey, :59.