BANNER

6 locals place at big M-P tourney; 2 Tommies win titles

By Steve Powell

MARYSVILLE – The coaches seemed more excited than the wrestlers.

“I feel like a little kid,” assistant coach Scott Ames said as Marysville Getchell took a big lead on its way to its first-ever win over cross-town rival Marysville-Pilchuck in wrestling Thursday 54-24.

Head coach John Deaver said Ames is a big reason for the team’s success.

“Scott Ames helped us step up our game,” bringing in different wrestling styles, Deaver said. “He wrestled at a crazy high level.”

Deaver said he knew M-P had a strong team again this year, but he felt the Chargers matched up well.

“We got them fired up today,” he said. “It means a lot to me. It seems like we’re always the underdog.”

Junior Cheron Smith got the Chargers off to a great start with a 6-4, two-overtime decision over one of the top 285-pounders in the league, Justin Albee. Even though Smith weighs just 220 pounds, he wrestles at the heavier level to help the team.

At 106 pounds, sophomore Omar Salcedo pinned freshman Aiden Johnston in 2 minutes, 44 seconds.

At 113 pounds, sophomores Jacob Steele pinned Juan Tzun in 3:35.

Trailing 15-0, sophomore Mikey Bejar got M-P on the board at 120 pounds, pinning freshman Igor Shabalov in just 20 seconds.

After Charger Taylor Herridge won by forfeit at 126 pounds, teammate junior Cody Mitchell won one of the most exciting matches of the evening with an 8-5 decision over Isaiah Woods.

The Charger coaches jumped to their feet with excitement after sophomore T.J. Schwietzberger pinned Corey Fregoso in 3:08 at 138 pounds.

“That was a huge upset on paper,” Deaver said.

That victory gave MG a 30-6 lead.

Ammar Humoud of M-P showed the Tommies were down but not out, as he pinned junior John Allen in 3:08 at 145 pounds.

But Jesus Cabada pulled off another huge win, his coaches said, by pinning Douglas Cruz-Young in 1:40 at 152 pounds.

MG freshman Chris Bonner pinned sophomore Andon Merrick at 160 pounds as the Chargers took a 42-12 lead.

M-P’s Mauro Bejar won by disqualification over junior Andrew Cantu, but that clinched the victory for MG.

Tomahawk standout Cayden White pinned Anatoliy Bay in 1:05 to bring the visitors to within 42-24, but that was the end of their scoring as the Chargers ended the match with two pins.

At 195 pounds, Caleb Blonk pinned Kamiakin Craig in 2:17, while at 220 pounds Erick Duenes pinned Daryl Kalisto in 1:54.

Meanwhile, at an M-P tournament Saturday, the host team was seventh with 85 points and Lakewood 12th with 49.

For M-P, Austin Davis won the championship at 126 pounds and Cayden White did the same at 182; Mauro Bejar tied for third at 170 pounds and Kamaikin Craig did the same at 195 pounds.