Priest River wrestling falls in season opener

SANDPOINT — In its season opener, Priest River wrestling suffered a 75-6 dual defeat to Sandpoint on Friday at Les Rogers Court.

Spartan head coach Quinton Holbrook said it was great to see his wrestlers back on the mat, but they looked a bit rusty against the Bulldogs.

"I think there was several kids that could have done a lot better," he said. "I think it was just first match, getting the butterflies out and they are young. I got a lot of freshmen and sophomores."

Sandpoint won eight matches by pin and four bouts by forfeit. The dual started at 170 pounds with Sandpoint's Isaac Webb taking on Priest River's Matyus McLain. Webb pinned McLain in 1:23 and the Bulldogs rolled after that.

Keith Poirier claimed the sole victory for the Spartans, pinning Braden Norris in 1:36 at 126 pounds.

The most intriguing bout of the night happened at 113 pounds between Sandpoint's Jacob Albany and Priest River's Hayden Sorbel.

Sorbel nearly pinned Albany in the first period, but Albany survived and trailed 4-0 heading into the second.

Sorbel earned a couple takedowns and stretched his advantage to 10-4 entering the third period.

However, Albany fought back and knotted the match at 11-11 to force overtime.

Late in the one-minute overtime round, Albany earned a takedown to secure a 13-11 sudden victory over Sorbel.

Sorbel, the defending 3A Region 1 champion at 98 pounds, had his chances to put away Albany in overtime, but couldn't take him down.

"They battled back and forth last year," Holbrook said about the match, "and I know [Sorbel] was really wanting that one and maybe I should have put him on top in the third period. I usually go against that until the end of the season, but I could have put him on top there and maybe rode that period out with the cushion he had."

Priest River heads to Lake City for a dual at 4 p.m. Thursday.

Results (Priest River athletes in bold)

Sandpoint 75. Priest River 6.

98 — Duke accepted forfeit

106 — Double forfeit

113 — Albany d. Sorbel, SV 13-11

120 — Dickson d. McLaimtaig, Fall 1:15

126 — Keith Poirier d. Norris, Fall 1:36

132 — S. Sherrill d. Troumbley, Fall 0:45

138 — Weig d. Nessel, Fall 1:01

145 — Resso d. Brokew, Fall 2:50

152 — Adam d. Keegan Poirier, Fall 0:58

160 — Becker accepted forfeit

170 — Webb d. McLain, Fall 1:23

182 — B. Sherrill d. Bennett, Fall 1:26

195 — Smith d. Reynolds, Fall 0:46

220 — Benefield accepted forfeit

285 — Laybourne accepted forfeit