After a long stretch between league meet wins, the Wolves are back on the scoreboard — in a big way.
Sequim’s wrestling squad dominated its 2022-23 home opener on Dec. 14 against the visiting Kingston Buccaneers, earning SHS’s first dual meet victory in five seasons.
“It was an absolutely exciting night, Sequim coach Chad Cate said. “This is the first time we’ve fielded a team large enough to fill in enough weight classes to stand a chance at winning.”
Winning by pin were Sequim’s Cayden Beauregard (120 pounds), Hunter Halverson (138), James Mason (145), Aaron Tolberd (160) and Dylan Bowen (195).
Bowen had the most active match of the night, Cate note. Tied 2-2 in the second period, Bowen’s opponent put him on his back but scored a reversal and pinned the Buc just before the second period ended.
Halverson was taken down in the first period but reversed his opponent and earned his pin.
Earning wins by forfeit were Sequim’s Ryan Spelker (113 pounds), James Smith (152) and Ari Skov (170).
SHS’s Isabella Diaz defeated her opponent 5-2 in the only match that went the full six minutes.
Tested at Hammerhead
Diaz, Sequim’s lone female wrestler this season, won her weight class at the Hammerhead Invitational in Bremerton, held Dec. 16-17.
Competing in the 120-C division, Diaz went undefeated in three matches. After a first round bye, she opened the tourney with a pin of Edmonds-Woodway’s Hannah Baldock in 4:59 in the quarterfinals. In the semis, Diaz earned an 8-2 major decision over Evaisela Calixtro of Davis. In the finals, Diaz edged Chloe Marcotte of Central Kitsap, 6-2.
Her effort helped the Wolves place 25th out of 44 girls teams.
Sequim also had nine boys competing at Hammerhead, a large tourney that saw 46 teams tally points.
The Wolves’ Spelker picked up a win in three matches in the 106-pound weight class, pinning Wilson Ziegler of Klahowya in 2:26.
Beauregard also picked up a win, downing Lewis Allan of WF West in 35 seconds in the 113-pound weight division.
Coming up
The Wolves are at the North Mason Winter Classic in Belfair on Dec. 23.
Following winter break, Sequim competes at the Battle for the Axe in Port Angeles on Jan. 7.
