Bulldogs bombard Badgers in Battle for the B-Cup
(Photo by ERIC PLUMMER) The Sandpoint wrestling team was all smiles after winning the Battle for the B-Cup Trophy in the annual dual between the Bulldogs and the Badgers Tuesday night.
(Photo by ERIC PLUMMER) Levi Sweeney, top, was one of five seniors honored on Senior Night, as the Bulldogs took down the Badgers.
SANDPOINT — Evan Stickelmeyer (285) celebrated Senior Night in a hurry, registering a pin in just 16 seconds, and fellow senior Andrew Webster (182) wasn’t far behind, securing a fall in just one minute to lead the Bulldogs to a 47-30 dual win over Bonners Ferry on Tuesday at the annual Battle for the B-Cup at Les Rogers Court.
Dillan Mitton (152) came out aggressive and notched a 36 second pin, and Mason Bangeman controlled the action in a 21-5 technical fall win, as the Bulldogs (7-12) rallied for the 17-point victory after spotting the Badgers an early 18-0 lead.
One of the highlights of a fun night, which also featured the Top Dog wrestlers getting honored before the dual, was an exhibition match featuring two of the top wrestlers in the state. Sandpoint senior Hyrum Hunsaker (170) scored an 11-6 decision over the Badgers Jesse Sandelin (160), who finished second at state last season in the 3A ranks. Both figure to be contenders for a state title this year, and relished the chance for some salty competition prior to districts.
Hunsaker got invited to wrestle in the Idaho Hall of Fame Classic all-star dual in Boise last Saturday at Bishop Kelly, where he lost a tough defensive decision 3-1 to Austin Ford of 5A Bonneville. Hunsaker earned the invitation when he took down a Tri-State champion from state power Post Falls at the Rocky Mountain Rumble recently, as a stellar senior season continues.
“After his big win at Coeur d’Alene he got voted in by the coaches as one of the top guys at 170 in the state,” said Bulldogs coach Jake Stark of the Classic. “It doesn’t matter what classification you are, they just pick the top two to participate in this dual.”
The Bulldogs will now fine tune things and prepare their lineup for the upcoming district tournament on Feb. 17 at Lakeland.
SANDPOINT 47, BONNERS FERRY 30
160 — Jesse Sandelin (Bonners Ferry) p. Isaiah Fleck, 3:44.
98 — Austin Madden (Bonners Ferry), by forfeit.
106 — Evan Barajas (Bonners Ferry) p. Heather Wallace, 1:40.
113 — Casey Olesen (Sandpoint) d. Tyler Beazer, 10-3.
120 — Trevan Adam (Sandpoint) p. Mason Knapp, 1:48.
126 — Ben Tadlock (Bonners Ferry) d. Jake Ryan, 15-10.
132 — Chad Maas (Bonners Ferry) d. August Johnson, 8-2.
138 — Mason Bangeman (Sandpoint) tf. Hunter Brown, 21-5.
145 — Brady Nelson (Sandpoint) p. Preston Coon, 4:15.
152 — Dillan Mitton (Sandpoint) p. Nathaniel Varelman, :36.
170 — Hyrum Hunsaker (Sandpoint), by forfeit.
182 — Andrew Webster (Sandpoint) p. Taiga DeLeon. 1:00.
195 — Isaiah Caralis (Sandpoint) d. Donovan Varelman, 11-5.
220 — Shayne Walker (Bonners Ferry), by forfeit.
285 — Evan Stickelmeyer (Sandpoint) p. Larry Hoehne, :16.
Exhibition: Hyrum Hunsaker d. Jesse Sandelin 11-6.