Sandpoint wrestling claims fourth at dual tourney
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE) Sandpoint sophomore Jordan Birkhimer (top) battles Lakeland’s Savannah Kidwell in a 120 pound bout Friday during Battle for the Paddle.
SPIRIT LAKE — A day after falling to Lakeland at the Battle for the Paddle, Sandpoint wrestling was back on the mat Saturday competing in the Van Tuinstra Duals at Timberlake High School.
Coeur d’Alene, Timberlake, Bonners Ferry, Lakeland, Lake City and Priest River were the six other teams that competed at the event. The Bulldogs finished fourth as a team, going 3-2 in duals.
Sandpoint took on Priest River first, defeating the Spartans 60-24. The Bulldogs won six matches by forfeit against Priest River while Jacob Albany, Jake Ryan, Calvin Hinds and Owen Wimmer all earned wins by pin.
After receiving a bye, Sandpoint faced Coeur d’Alene in its second dual, topping the Vikings 54-30. Katelynn Johanson, Ryan, Malachi Fleck, Samuel Becker, Isaiah Caralis, Christian Troumbley-Karkoski and Gregory Belgarde all pinned their opponents to help propel the Bulldogs to a victory.
Sandpoint suffered its first defeat of the day to first place Timberlake, 51-32. Despite winning bouts at 132, 138, 145, 152 and 285, the Bulldogs were unable to hang with the Tigers in the lower and upper weights.
The Bulldogs snuck past Lake City 48-42 in their fourth dual of the day. Starting off with a pin by Dakota Wilson, Sandpoint won all its matches by either pin or forfeit.
In their final dual of the day, the Bulldogs were edged out by second place Bonners Ferry 42-39. Five of Sandpoint’s seven wins against the Badgers came by forfeit.
Overall, head coach Jake Stark was pleased with what he saw from the Bulldogs.
“We showed great team unity throughout the tourney,” he wrote in a text. “Malachi Fleck and Trevan Adam rotated at 138 and they both looked strong and determined. As a whole, I feel we bounced back after the Battle for the Paddle loss and redeemed ourselves.”
Sandpoint comes home to face Coeur d’Alene 7 p.m. Thursday.