POULSBO — Solidify.
That is the demanding goal of the North Kitsap High School Wrestling team after Olympic’s lighter crew outweighed the Viking big men to cruise to a 42-31 victory.
Nick Miller started the match out right for North. After an aggressive start, he pinned Lukas Kogut in the waning seconds of the first period. Viking sophomore Anthony Lindfors followed in similar fashion against R.J. Hout. Hout jumped out quick with a takedown, then Lindfors lifted him up off his back and reversed into a pin much to the pleasure of North’s bench.
“We had good individual performances by some of our younger kids who wrestled some of their tougher kids,†said NK coach Jon Cooke. “But it came down to a few matches that we were counting on but didn’t get.â€
At 171, Paul Thompson lost a hard-fought battle to Oly’s Paul Cho by decision, and at 189, Eric Hedin suffered a pin in the second round to Laurice Gerig giving Olympic momentum.
Danny Glushko was determined to bring Oly’s run to a halt as he stepped on the mat against Zach Churchly at 215. Glushko was quick to lock up, quick with the overhead throw and looking for the pin, all in the first 30 seconds of the match. Churchly was able to squeeze off his back, but a mistake later in the round led to the Glushko pin which put the Vikes on top 18-9.
In the battle of the bigs, NK’s Bill Plowman ran out of steam against Trojan Keven Siperic as Siperic recorded the pin, with 59 seconds left in the second period.
“They were strong from 103 to 130 and we’re strong more from 135 up to 215 and heavyweight,†Cooke commented. “What killed us were the pins at 189 and heavyweight.â€
Siperic’s pin started a three-pin slide for Oly who took the advantage and ran with it through the light-weight matches. Lady Trojan Camie Yeik pinned NK’s John Stiffler at 103, then Willis Castle was pinned by Oly’s Jeremy Huffman at 112 to swing the team points in blue favor 27-18.
At 119, NK’s Justin Grimes lost by decision to Kenneth Nelson, then Oly’s Joe Flores pinned Lyle Welsh at 125 and the Trojans doubled NK’s score, 36-18.
After another Viking was downed at 130, Matt Grimes pinned Patrich Kendl, trying to lift NK. Sophomore Matt Cordell picked up a win by decision at 140 but it was too little, too late as Oly rolled to the win.
“They are coming together but they still haven’t formed a group,†Cooke said of team unity, adding that wins and excitement will help build the team. “Christmas is tough, we need to give them mat time and get them going over the break.â€
NK is wrestling at Rogers High School today before halting a week for winter break.
The team will be back in action at a North Mason tournament Dec. 30.