Hunsaker, Webster, Stickelmeyer into state semis
(Photo by ANN DICKINSON) Sandpoint sophomore Heather Wallace, right, and the Bulldogs were in action on day one of the state tournament Friday in Pocatello.
(Photo by ANN DICKINSON) Hyrum Hunsaker was one of three Bulldogs to advance to the semis of the main draw on Friday at the 4A state tournament.
POCATELLO — Three Bulldog wrestlers went 2-0 on the first day of the 4A state wrestling tournament in Pocatello on Friday, advancing to the semis of the main draw as Sandpoint sits in 14th place after day one.
Hyrum Hunsaker (170) scored a first period pin over Blackfoot, then a 9-2 decision over Century to advance to the semis after his 40th win of the season. The No. 1 seed took care of business, and is now two matches away from a state title.
Andrew Webster (182) made quick work of his two opponents, securing first round falls over Vallivue and Ridgevue to earn a spot in today’s semis, keeping alive his chance for a title.
The biggest surprise of the day for the Bulldogs came at heavyweight, where Evan Stickelmeyer (285) scored a second period pin over Emmett, before notching a hard-fought 6-5 win over Mountain Home, which had upset the No. 2 seed in the first round.
Casey Olesen (113) lost to the No. 2 seed from Vallivue in the opener, then pinned an opponent from Minico with a 30-9 record, before finishing the day with a 5-3 decision over Twin Falls to remain alive in the consolation bracket today.
Sandpoint is in 14th place after day one, with the potential to score some big championship bracket points during day two.
SANDPOINT RESULTS
106 — Avery Stimpson (Minico) p. Heather Wallace (Sandpoint), 2:30; William Rodriguez (Ridgevue) p. Wallace, 2:17.
113 — Dante Roggio (Vallivue) p. Casey Olesen (Sandpoint), 1:05; Olesen p. Joseph Lopez (Minico), 2:08; Olesen d. Troy Morfin (Twin Falls), 5-3.
126 — Colton Evans (Pocatello) p. Jake Ryan (Sandpoint), 1:23; Armando Juarez (Caldwell) 31-13 md. Ryan, 10-2.
132 — Brayden Holmes (Middleton) p. Parker Coon (Sandpoint), 4:43; Austin Despain (Blackfoot) d. Coon, 2-0.
138 — Peyton Ringling (Jerome) md. Brady Nelson, 15-2; David Seamons (Preston) tf. Nelson, 19-3.
170 — Hyrum Hunsaker (Sandpoint) p. Payton Woodland (Blackfoot), 1:09; Hunsaker d. over Ben Ditton (Century), 9-2.
182 — Andrew Webster (Sandpoint) p. Tyler Hebner (Vallivue), 1:05; Webster p. Trevor Birk (Ridgevue), 1:29.
285 — Evan Stickelmeyer (Sandpoint) p. Hunter Higginbotham (Emmett), 4:19; Stickelmeyer d. Tim Goodell (Mountain Home), 6-5.
4A
TEAM SCORES — 1 (tie), Lakeland, Minico 121.5. 3, Pocatello 107.5. 4, Jerome 82. 5, Blackfoot 69.5. 6, Caldwell 54. 7, Emmett 46. 8, Skyline 43. 9, Skyview 41.5. 10, Vallivue 40. 11, Mountain Home 39.5. 12, Twin Falls 38.5. 13, Century 36. 14 (tie), Moscow, Sandpoint 33. 16, Preston 28.5. 17, Canyon Ridge 24. 18, Idaho Falls 22. 19 (tie), Middleton, Ridgevue 20. 21, Bishop Kelly 14. 22, Burley 10.5. 23, Wood River 0.