As difficult as last week was for the Sequim Wolves, the first full week of the new year may be even tougher.

Sequim placed 11th out of 13 teams at the North Mason Classic on Dec. 30.

"(It was the) toughest line-up for this tournament in years," Sequim coach Len Borchers said.

This week, Sequim hosts their annual Rainshadow Tournament on Jan. 8-9 (Friday and Saturday), bringing to town prep powerhouses like Cedarcrest, Kentridge, North Mason and Kingston.

Borchers said North Kitsap and Port Angeles should have solid performances at the Rainshadow as well.

As of early this week, a total of 16 teams were committed to competing.

That’s just the capper of a week that sees Sequim wrestle at Port Angeles on Jan. 6 (Wednesday) and Port Townsend on Jan. 7 (Thursday).

At last week’s North Mason Classic, four

Sequim wrestlers placed.

Dakota Hinton, a 152-pounder, went 4-1 with two pins and finished third. Clay Charley, Sequim’s 215-pound grappler, also went 4-1, getting three pins to finish third overall.

In the 112-pound weight class, Kenny Griffith went 3-2 with pins in each win to take fifth.

Austin Middleton was Sequim’s other placer, going 3-2 in the 125-pound weight class to take fifth.

Overall, Sequim wrestlers won 20 matches and lost 20.

The Wolves were short-handed, missing wrestlers at 103, 145 and 189 pounds. Grappler Kenny Henning (145) sprained an ankle in practice and wasn’t able to wrestle.

Rainshadow Wrestling Tournament

When: Jan. 8-9

Where: Sequim High School gym, 601 N. Sequim Ave.

Teams competing: Sequim, Bainbridge, Bremerton, Cedarcrest, Clover Park, Kentridge, Kingston, Mount Rainier, North Kitsap, North Mason, Port Angeles, Port Townsend, Renton, Thomas Jefferson, Tyee, West Seattle