Hunsaker, Webster set to make run at state titles

Stickelmeyer, Olesen set sights on state podium

SANDPOINT — The Bulldogs will take eight wrestlers to the 4A state tournament, which starts Friday at Holt Arena in Pocatello, including two with designs on contending for state titles.

Hyrum Hunsaker is the No. 1 seed in the 170 pound bracket, and for good reason, compiling a 38-4 record this year. Hunsaker is rarely not in firm control of a match, often making winning look easy. He handled his business in the usual dominating fashion at districts, and with no holes in his mat game, will be a tough out at state.

“Hyrum is a four time district champ. That’s pretty select, hard to come by that,” said Bulldogs head coach Jake Stark, who likes Hunsaker’s chances at state after finishing fourth last year. “Wrestle his matches, don’t wrestle anyone else’s style. Just be humble, like he has been all year.”

Andrew Webster (182) owns a 25-11 record on the year, but has come on strong of late to earn a No. 4 seed, after scoring an impressive win over his Moscow rival at districts. Webster relies on power and explosion in his wrestling, and could be a sleeper in his bracket after going 4-1 last year en route to a third place finish.

“He’s physically got it,” said Stark of Webster. “Keep his mental game strong, and he’s there.”

Last year the Bulldogs finished ninth at state, and despite only taking eight wrestlers this year, could score enough points to make another run at a top 10 team finish.

Stark said a repeat performance will require wrestling at the highest potential, and putting some Bulldogs on podiums.

“The eight guys we are sending to state are on fire right now, they are peaking at the perfect time,” said Stark. “We have no injuries, and our conditioning is where it should be. Hyrum and Andrew should be in the finals.”

Also capable of a podium finish are Casey Olesen (113), who owns a 26-13 record and won matches at sate last year, and Evan Stickelmeyer (285), an athletic big who could mess up the Heavyweight bracket.

“Look for Evan, who is finally healthy, to make a run at placing,” predicted Stark. “Casey Olesen has a tough first match against Dante Roggio from Vallivue, but if he can win that he can place top six, no doubt about it.”

The state tournament starts Friday in Pocatello, with finals on Saturday night.

SANDPOINT STATE WRESTLERS

106 — Heather Wallace

113 — Casey Olesen

126 — Jake Ryan

132 — Parker Coon

138 — Brady Nelson

170 — Hyrum Hunsaker

182 — Andrew Webster

285 — Evan Stickelmeyer