KINGSTON — In a meet that came down to the final three matches on the day, the Poulsbo Panthers wrestling team was able to put forth the extra effort needed to secure the victory over cross-North end rivals, Kingston, by a count of 55-34 Thursday.

With the match nearly locked in a dead-heat at 37-34, Panther grappler Jonathan Berry was able to clinch the win over Kingston’s Jacob Glushko, with a pin at the 190 lbs. class at 2:59.

Berry, who was wrestling “up” — competing above his personal weight — personified the team’s philosophy by not only making the sacrifice but getting the win, Poulsbo Coach Joe Power said.

“Our mantra has been team first,” Power commented. “(Berry) really came through in the clutch.”

The win is Poulsbo’s first in some time over its Kingston counterparts but Power didn’t want to reminisce on the time its been since their last victory.

“It’s always sweet to beat the cross-town rival,” he said. “It’s definitely been a while.”

The Panthers were also on the rebound Thursday, after the team had lost the previous week 67-34 to the Ridgetop Raiders in its first match.

“I’m really impressed with how far we’ve come,” Power said. “We’ve really turned a corner this past week.”

Kingston led early at the 120 lbs. mark, up 19-18 but two of Poulsbo’s grapplers — Sasha Jantz and Jeff Jones — won their matches with pins in the first 40 seconds of action at the 125 and 130 weight class respectively. The Panthers maintained a slight edge for the rest of the match.

The will to win was on the side of Poulsbo, said Cavs coach Chris Gilbreath.

“They wanted it a little more than we did,” Gilbreath said. “They did a wonderful job today and we weren’t prepared for them.”

For Gilbreath and his team, it’ll be back to the drawing board for the coming week ahead. Kingston will be at Ridgetop next Tuesday at 3 p.m. and at home versus Cedar Heights at 3 p.m. next Thursday.

“(Poulsbo) controlled the pace today,” Gilbreath said. “Our conditioning was there but the technique is not.”

Poulsbo also faces two opponents in the coming week: at home against Marcus Whitman at 2:45 p.m. Tuesday at home and Fairview at 2:45 p.m. Thursday. By JOSH FARLEY

Staff Writer

KINGSTON — In a meet that came down to the final three matches on the day, the Poulsbo Panthers wrestling team was able to put forth the extra effort needed to secure the victory over cross-North end rivals, Kingston, by a count of 55-34 Thursday.

With the match nearly locked in a dead-heat at 37-34, Panther grappler Jonathan Berry was able to clinch the win over Kingston’s Jacob Glushko, with a pin at the 190 lbs. class at 2:59.

Berry, who was wrestling “up” — competing above his personal weight — personified the team’s philosophy by not only making the sacrifice but getting the win, Poulsbo Coach Joe Power said.

“Our mantra has been team first,” Power commented. “(Berry) really came through in the clutch.”

The win is Poulsbo’s first in some time over its Kingston counterparts but Power didn’t want to reminisce on the time its been since their last victory.

“It’s always sweet to beat the cross-town rival,” he said. “It’s definitely been a while.”

The Panthers were also on the rebound Thursday, after the team had lost the previous week 67-34 to the Ridgetop Raiders in its first match.

“I’m really impressed with how far we’ve come,” Power said. “We’ve really turned a corner this past week.”

Kingston led early at the 120 lbs. mark, up 19-18 but two of Poulsbo’s grapplers — Sasha Jantz and Jeff Jones — won their matches with pins in the first 40 seconds of action at the 125 and 130 weight class respectively. The Panthers maintained a slight edge for the rest of the match.

The will to win was on the side of Poulsbo, said Cavs coach Chris Gilbreath.

“They wanted it a little more than we did,” Gilbreath said. “They did a wonderful job today and we weren’t prepared for them.”

For Gilbreath and his team, it’ll be back to the drawing board for the coming week ahead. Kingston will be at Ridgetop next Tuesday at 3 p.m. and at home versus Cedar Heights at 3 p.m. next Thursday.

“(Poulsbo) controlled the pace today,” Gilbreath said. “Our conditioning was there but the technique is not.”

Poulsbo also faces two opponents in the coming week: at home against Marcus Whitman at 2:45 p.m. Tuesday at home and Fairview at 2:45 p.m. Thursday.