Bulldogs handle business in opener

SANDPOINT — Boasting the most depth they’ve had in years, the Bulldog wrestling team claimed a convincing 53-18 win over Priest River in a wrestling season opener on Thursday at Sandpoint High School.

Justin Hobson scored a first period pin in his heavyweight debut, and Preston Bunty notched a 14-6 win at 132 pounds to lead the Bulldogs, earning the respect of head coach Mike Randles, whose team was aggressive from the first match on.

“Hobson did a great job in his first time under the spotlight. He just went forward aggressively and it paid off,” said Randles, adding that the hard work of Bunty is paying off. “He went out, stayed in position and kept attacking.”

Arguably the best match of the night was an exhibition, as Tyler Presser went up a weight class and Priest River’s Luke McDonald just made the cut to drop a weight class, and the two waged an entertaining, back and forth affair before Presser got caught midway through the final round.

“Tyler wrestled great,” said Randles. “He made one big mistake.”

Noah Jamison pinned Hyrum Hunsaker at 138 pounds for the Spartans’ lone win. New head coach Jesse Hellinger said it was great for his team to face a solid, well-coached program like Sandpoint’s, and he had high praise for McDonald.

“He absolutely wrestled a tremendous match for cutting weight,” said Hellinger, lauding his JV team’s performance. “I thought our JV team stole the show tonight. They didn’t lose one match.”

Sandpoint is at Timberlake on Wednesday.

SANDPOINT 53, PRIEST RIVER 18

220 — Tyler Brown, Spt, p. Gabe Bellah, :43.

285 — Justin Hobson, Spt, p. Sammy Hernandez, 1:52.

98 — Double forfeit.

106 — Double forfeit.

113 — Johnathan Miller, PR, by forfeit.

120 — Scout Nash, Spt, md. Riley DeMent, 8-0.

126 — John Noble, PR, by forfeit.

132 — Preston Bunty, Spt, md. Joe Irvine, 14-6.

138 — Noah Jamison, PR, p. Hyrum Hunsaker, 3:19.

145 — Tanner McNelley, Spt, p. Brad Schaper, :54.

152 — Mahonri Hunsaker, Spt, tf. Chance Stokes, 15-0.

160 — Dean Ramey, Spt, p. Ryan Hanson, :55.

170 — Luke McDonald, PR, by forfeit.

182 — Casey Randles, Spt, md. Gregory Fitzmorris, 15-3.

195 — Jake Williams, Spt, p. Ian Barnes, :36.

Exhibition — Luke McDonald, PR, p. Tyler Presser, 4:55.