Wrestling: Knights take down Wolves in first dual meet

By Matthew Nash • December 13, 2017 1:30 am
Sequim’s Jamie Schroepfer attempts to pin Bremerton’s Alpha Cooper in the Wolves’ first dual meet. Schroepfer went on to pin him with less than 10 seconds left in the first period on Dec. 5. Sequim Gazette photos by Matthew Nash
Sequim’s Jamie Schroepfer attempts to pin Bremerton’s Alpha Cooper in the Wolves’ first dual meet. Schroepfer went on to pin him with less than 10 seconds left in the first period on Dec. 5. Sequim Gazette photos by Matthew Nash

Despite a small roster this season and some gaps at certain weight classes, the Wolves’ wrestling squad came close to winning its first dual meet of the season.

Sequim (0-1) fell 45-41 to Bremerton (1-0 overall) on Dec. 5 for its home opening meet.

See more photos from the dual meet here.

Three of five regular varsity competitors won their matches with Jamie Schroepfer at 138 pounds pinning Alpha Cooper in 1:50, and Sequim’s Chris Puksta, 152 pounds, pinning Abraham Parish in 1:05.

The Wolves’ Hayden Gresli, 160 pounds, finished his match against Eddy Taylor with a takedown for a 17-2 tech fall in the third period.

Sequim coach Bill Schroepfer said he and Bremerton coaches spent a lot of time coordinating for high quality matches.

“Team score is not that important,” he said. “I wanted good quality wrestling and we got that.”

Schroepfer said he could have bumped a girl wrestler to a higher weight class in a double forfeit scenario and won the meet, but felt that it wasn’t his style.

Three girls did wrestle varsity for Sequim and were pinned in the first round but Schroepfer said they did well.

“I’m actually pretty excited,” Schroepfer said.

“We forfeited three weight classes and three out of five varsity boys won. I didn’t expect a chance at a dual meet this season, and I’m happy with this. They’re dedicated. This is the best group of kids I’ve coached before.”

Late in the meet, Sequim varsity wrestler Mason Larsen, 285, injured his arm after being pinned by Henry Buentello and did not compete with fellow wrestlers at weekend tournaments. His status is unknown for this week’s events.

Battle at the Border

Four Wolves made the trek to Blaine’s Battle at the Border on Dec. 8-9 with Sequim taking 17th out of 22 teams with 33 points.

Sequim’s Ben Newell led the Wolves by taking third place at 145 pounds.

Newell pinned his first opponent JJ Sanchez of Mount Vernon but lost to Nolan Keesee of Black Hills 7-1 who took second in the tournament.

In the consolation, Newell pinned his next four opponents including Gabe Dahlberg of Bellingham, Devin Wright of Steilacoom, and Ryan Slaughter of Ferndale. In the finals for third/fourth place, he pinned Levi Oostra of Lynden.

Both Jamie Schroepfer, 138, and Gresli, 160, won a match apiece with Schroepfer pinning Joseph Good of Mount Vernon and Gresli winning 12-4 over Lucas Reuwsoat of Darrington.

Sequim’s Jakob Pyeatt, 132, also competed in the tournament.

White River Classic

The previous weekend, Sequim’s varsity boys had a tough go opening their season Dec. 2 at the White River Classic.

Bill Schroepfer said they faced some tough competition including state competitors both in 2A and 3A but he preferred the early season test because it gives wrestlers possible opponents they might see in the postseason.

Puksta had the most success for the Wolves going 2-2 at 152 pounds. He opened with a 19-3 tech fall and following a second round loss won a consolation match by pin in 4:51.

Jamie Schroepfer also won a match at the meet while Sequim’s other wrestlers went 0-2.

Look ahead

Last weekend, Sequim’s girls and boy junior varsity wrestlers traveled to Foss High’s Judy Emry Invite, but results were not available.

This week, Sequim travels to its second dual meet on Wednesday, Dec. 13, at North Kitsap. Sequim’s girls host the second Olympic League Girls dual meet at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 14, and the varsity squad travels to the Hammer Head Invitational on Saturday at the Kitsap Pavilion.

Reach Matthew Nash at mnash@sequimgazette.com.

Chris Puksta pins Bremerton’s Abraham Parish on Dec. 5 after flipping to avoid a pin of his own in the 152-pound dual meet match-up. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

Chris Puksta pins Bremerton’s Abraham Parish on Dec. 5 after flipping to avoid a pin of his own in the 152-pound dual meet match-up. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

Bremerton’s Eddy Taylor, left, faces off with Sequim’s Hayden Gresli who went on to win 17-2 in the third period on Dec. 5. Gresli led 7-1 in the first period and 12-2 in the second before finishing with a takedown for the tech fall.

Bremerton’s Eddy Taylor, left, faces off with Sequim’s Hayden Gresli who went on to win 17-2 in the third period on Dec. 5. Gresli led 7-1 in the first period and 12-2 in the second before finishing with a takedown for the tech fall.