Sequim grapplers have their collective hands full in early-season tournaments and league matches, but several individuals are picking up wins in the 2019-2020 season.

SHS junior Bodi Sanderson went 2-2 at 285 pounds, including a pin of Kingston’s Aiden Hemion (1:50), at the Jan. 4 Battle of the Axe in Port Angeles.

Isaiah Cowan also had a win at 195 pounds, pinning Andrew Baca of Kingston in 5:34. Two of his three losses were close, including an 8-5 defeat to Zachery English of Fife.

Most of Sequim’s victories at the tourney came from fill-ins to help the SHS team fill out a roster.

Competing for the Wolves, Tyler Olson and Wyatt Horne each went 3-1 while JohnAlbert Garnica went 2-2 and Tyson Thompson and Andrew Potter-Cross each added wins; their matches didn’t count in the overall team scores.

As a team Sequim went 0-4, falling to Port Townsend (59-0), Olympic (69-6), Kingston (30-18) and Fife (54-12) to place 12th overall. Forks won the overall title, with 1a powerhouse Klahowya in second and host Port Angeles third.

The tourney also featured four “all star” girls teams. Sequim’s Alexi Rampp-Taft and Petra Bernsten saw action.

Hawkins tourney tests

After a tough start to the season, Sequim High’s wrestlers saw some meaningful action at the North Mason Hawkins Memorial Tournament on Dec. 28.

Sequim’s boys, who competed in junior varsity round robin brackets, were led by Cowan. The SHS junior won his 169-183 weight division after winning three consecutive matches by pin, each of them taking less than a minute.

Brandon Linson won two of three matches, including a pin of Life Christian’s Lee Wyszynski, to place second at 112-114 pounds.

Sequim’s Aaron Tolberd picked up a win (by pin) at 153-162 pounds. Also competing were Sequim’s Trevin Oakes (119-124 pounds) and Faas Christianson (165-173).

In the girls brackets, Rampp-Taft won one match (by pin) at 133-134 pounds to place third, while Bernsten did the same at 144-153 pounds.

The Wolves opened the season with lopsided losses to Port Angeles (60-6) and Klahowya (66-0) on Dec. 12.

Looking ahead

Sequim is back in action when the Wolves’ girls compete in a dual meet against South Puget Sound League teams on Jan. 8.

The Wolves travel to Kingston on Jan. 16 to take on North Kitsap and the host Buccaneers.

Faas Christianson of Sequim, top, tries to subdue Nadine Abaglo of Fife in their 170-lb. bout at Port Angeles High School on Jan. 4. Abaglo went on to win the contest. Photo by Keith Thorpe/Olympic Peninsula News Group