SHS wrestling downs Lakeland for first time since 2007
Austin Smith takes control during his match at 195 pounds on Jan. 22 at Lakeland High. He won the bout by pin.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Forest Ambridge competes in the dual at Lakeland on Friday.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Adam Belgarde (right) competes in Friday's dual at Lakeland.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Ashlei Hawkins (right) competes in Friday's dual at Lakeland.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Blake Sherrill (bottom) takes down his opponent during Friday's dual at Lakeland.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Calvin Hinds tries to escape from the grasp of his opponent during Friday's dual.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Christian Troumbley-Karkoski (right) looks to make a move in his match Friday.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Darrian Resso (top) takes control during his match at Friday's dual.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Christian Troumbley-Karkoski (left) faces off with his opponent Friday.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Wyatt Marker (top) looks for a pin during Friday's dual.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Greg Belgarde (top) competes in Friday's dual at Lakeland.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Kaiden Rose (right) squares off with his opponent Friday.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Shane Sherrill competes in Friday's dual.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Wyatt Marker (top) takes control during his 132-pound match Friday.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct an error.
RATHDRUM — Sandpoint wresting made history Friday night in the Battle for the Paddle.
The Bulldogs took down their bitter rival Lakeland for the first time since 2007.
The Hawks held the upper hand for 15 years, but SHS was fed up with falling short.
The spirit and passion the Bulldogs brought to the mat powered them to a 48-33 victory.
"I'm really proud of our crew," head coach Jake Stark said. "They've just been on the up-and-up every week and we knew this was the right timing for us to keep climbing that hill."
Last Saturday at the River City Duals, Sandpoint and Lakeland were set to square off in the silver bracket championship match, but the Hawks declined the invitation.
On Friday, the Bulldogs got their shot at the Hawks and took full advantage of it. Lakeland also handed over the silver bracket championship trophy to SHS at the end of the dual.
"They kind of dodged us at River City Duals, and I think that kind of fueled the guys' fire a little bit," Stark said.
This victory will be remembered for years to come, Stark said.
"This is special because I'm really close to this group of juniors and these seniors, who have really come a long ways," he said. "It was just fun to be a part of it."
Pins from Ashlei Hawkins (120), Wyatt Marker (132), Darrian Resso (152), Christian Troumbley-Karkoski (160), Blake Sherrill (182) and Austin Smith (195) helped Sandpoint blow past the Hawks.
Stark was extremely impressed with the victories by Sherrill and Marker.
"I can't be more proud of that guy," he said about Marker. "He's been leading our team all year and he came up with a big win tonight."
The Bulldogs compete in the Ted Kato Memorial Tournament in Thompson Falls, Montana, today, and Stark said they are going to keep the momentum rolling.
"We're not going to look back now," he said. "We're just going to keep our sights set on climbing every tournament."
SANDPOINT 48, LAKELAND 33
113 — Matthew Willliams, LL, p. Kaiden Rose, :41. 120 — Ashlei Hawkins, Spt, p. Austin Howell, 5:55. 126 — Reilly Saxe, LL, d. Forest Ambridge, 7-6. 132 — Wyatt Marker, Spt, p. John Meredith, 3:10. 138 — Lucas Williams, LL, p. Shane Sherrill, 3:31. 145 — Payden Wysong, LL, tf. Adam Belgarde, 16-1. 152 — Darrian Resso, Spt, p. Thayer Sabatke, 1:06. 160 — Christian Troumbley-Karkoski, Spt, p. Dylan Scott, 3:16. 170 — Devon Suko, LL, md. Calvin Hinds, 16-7. 182 — Blake Sherrill, Spt, p. Hutton Hegbloom, 3:19. 195 — Austin Smith, Spt, p. Gage Oles, 1:46. 220 — Devon Howell, LL, d. Gregory Belgarde, 9-7. 285 — Preston Jeffs, LL, p. Bret McBrayer, 1:02. 98 — Andrew Duke, Spt, by forfeit. 106 — Aiden Rork, Spt, by forfeit.
