Hey all, Saturday the Bulldogs traveled to the Bellingham dual tournament at Bellingham High School.  We got three duals in so it was great for the kids as we got a lot of mat time in against quality opponents.  It was tough though as we were missing 4 weight classes (gained Dustin at 135 but were missing both Pavel (unsure where he was) and Ricarda (taking SAT's) at 119/125) and that makes it really hard to make up ground to win duals.  We had some kids really step up and wrestle well though and it was really great to see.  Here's the summary of each dual.

 

MV vs Central Kitsap (21-54)

130 - we didn't have anybody so forfeit to CK

135 - Dustin Bearden - Dustin was wrestling in his first varsity matches today (yesterday was his first matches ever in the JV tournament), CK got an early takedown and nearfall, but Dustin didn't give in and fought hard off his back and even nearly got away and got a locking hands call on the CK wrestler.  When they restarted though Dustin was a little hesitant and hasn't learned to use his strength in wrestling yet and was overpowered to his back for a fall for CK.

140 - Jordan Watts - A lot of action early, Jordan was controlling the mat space and had 3 takedown attempts end out of bounds.  Finally got a takedown by throwing a whizzer hard.  He threw it hard enough to get back points out of the move as well.  The second period Jordan chose bottom and got a quick stand up and went right in to get a takedown.  Jordan worked hard on top to get the fall at 3:46.

145 - Aaron O'Neill - Early takedown for CK, rode Aaron for a while but he then got a reversal.  Aaron then rode the CK for around thirty seconds before giving up a reversal to CK.  Second period had a lot of action with CK starting down and quickly turning into a scramble situation with both guys ending up on top and getting reversals and near fall points, as the scramble continued Aaron got caught in a really tight half and was pinned by the CK wrestler.

152 - Dylan Wolfe - Good scramble early Dylan got a whizzer, however it was on his shoulder that is injured and he was unable to really get a lot of force with it so takedown for CK.  Dylan did a great tripod to a knee dip to get out 2 times in the period.  Second period started with CK choosing down and Dylan working for a tilt early in the period.  However, we were a little loose with it and got reversed.  Dylan worked back to his tripod and got an escape on a great knee dip to a standup.  The rest of the period had numerous scrambles with Dylan nearly scoring.  Third period we chose down, Dylan got 1 escape on a sit out and hip heist.  They got into a scramble situation right away and Dylan got stuck on his back during the scramble, Fall for CK.

160 - Joe Barrington-Richards - Duck under early got Joe behind the CK wrestler, but they wouldn't give anything up and Joe get the takedown as they went out of bounds.  Joe then hit a great single leg for a takedown.  We let him up as he was making his way out.  Joe then hit a pancake off the CK wrestler's shot and was able to finish with a fall for Joe.

171 - Cory Barrington-Richards - Early takedown for CK as Cory pulled him into the shot.  He escaped on a knee dip.  Cory then extended the CK wrestler by sprawling and pulling on an ankle, he spun to get his takedown.  Cory just got his half nelson in deep as the whistle blew.  Second period Cory chose down and each wrestler got a reversal this period.  The third period CK chose down and Cory went to work on top, looking for turns but unable to get one but rode the CK wrestler hard for the entire period to pull out the victory 7-5 for Cory.

189 - Derek Almanza - Action all over the mat as both guys scrambling, Derek really working hard to take shots and try to score.  Takedown for CK but a quick escape for Derek.  Pretty obvious at this point that Derek is giving up a sizeable strength advantage to the CK wrestler and at this point gets taken to his back for a fall for CK.  Tough to be giving up 8 pounds to a guy minimum plus whatever they cut down from.

215 - Ricky Rodriguez - Ricky giving up quite a bit of experience still and got thrown early in a throw that we haven't taught the counter to yet, fall for CK.

Hvy - Chucky Bosquet - Chucky got caught on a knee, he did a great job of moving and trying not to give anything up out of it but did give up a takedown.  Second period Chucky was down and couldn't move enough to get out Fall for CK. 

103 - Double forfeit

112 - Frank Burge - Frank sprawled off the CK wrestler's shot and hit a pancake, worked to a deep half and got the fall rather quickly.

119 - Forfeit to CK

125 - Double FFT

 

MV vs Arlington (28-39)

135 - Dustin Bearden - Big snap down by Arlington, Dustin fighting hard but just not enough mat time yet, fall for Arlington.

140 - Jordan Watts - Good early takedown for Jordan.  Riding really hard on top for most of the period and got the Anderson bar in for nearfall just as time ran out.  Second period we chose down and hit a switch right off the whistle for a reversal, Jordan then worked the Anderson bar to a Fall for Jordan.

145 - Aaron O'Neill - Aaron appeared to be giving up some strength in this match, he got caught in a front head lock in the first and tried to power under the load but instead was caught in a cradle.  Aaron got out of the cradle and was working hard to get to his feet and got there many times but kept getting returned to the mat.  The Arl wrestler was looking hard for an armbar and so Aaron was fighting hard to avoid that but in the process looked into a half nelson and was turned.  Fall for Arlington.

152 - Dylan Wolfe - Dylan was tentative to wrestle in this match, his shoulder was bothering him and he was wrestling a blind wrestler from Arlington which is something Dylan hasn't done before.  This caused him to overthink things a little bit and he was hesitant on his moves.  Takedown for Arlington out of a scramble and Dylan was ridden for the rest of the period.  Second period we chose bottom and were ridden for most of the period but Dylan was able to get an escape late in the period.  Third period Arlington got an escape with about 20 seconds left, Dylan got in on a single but the Arlington wrestler wouldn't give in so Dylan was unable to finish before time expired, 3-1 final score for Arlington.

160 - Joe Barrington-Richards - Early takedown for Joe, got a really tight cradle for 3 nearfall.  Second period we chose down, Joe sat out and did a hip heist for an escape.  Joe stopped the Arlington wrestler's shot and went into a front head lock.  He hit a cement mixer and climbed on top.  Fall for Joe.

171 - Cory Barrington-Richards - Cory really wrestling well today as something has clicked lately in practice.  Duckunder to a wrist ride for Cory's first takedown.  Cory let the Arlington wrestler up near the edge, they worked back to the center where Cory hit another duck under for a takedown.  Arlington got a reversal late in the period as Cory got a little too high.  Second period they started nuetral, Cory got in on a single leg for a takedown.  Again Cory got a little too high and was reversed by Arlington.  Cory then went to a standup and was able to get the escape.  Cory then stepped in and got a body lock right to Arlington's back and kept him there.  Fall for Cory.

189 - Derek Almanza - Again Derek was at a strength advantage in this one, as well as experience.  Derek got takendown and split and was unable to get free.  Fall for Arlington.

215 - Ricky Rodriguez - Arlington shot in on a double leg, Ricky fought hard not to give anything up but inexperience showed as he kept his hand up on his opponent's head for too long and was taken to his back.  Fall for Arlington.

Hvy - Chucky Bosquet - Chucky working hard for a snap down through most of the period but finally got it, spun and takedown for Chucky.  Sencond period started nuetral, great snap by Chucky for a takedown.  Stall warning for Arlington as Chucky was working hard to turn him.  Chucky kept working hard for it and got another stall call on Arlington.  Third period had Chucky starting down.  He hit a wrist roll for a reversal and 2 nearfall.  Arlington got back to his belly where Chucky rode him hard for the rest of the period and even got 1 more stall call against Arlington.  Major Decision for Chucky 8-0.

103 Double FFT

112 - Frank Burge - Great single leg to a half for Frank.  Arlington rolled through, but Frank adjusted and got another deep half..  Fall for Frank.

119 - FFT to Arlington

125 - FFT to Arlington

130 - FFT to Arlington

 

MV vs Sehome

140 - Jordan Watts - Sprawl and go behind for a takedown.  Worked to an arm bar for 2 nearfall.  Second period Sehome chose nuetral.  Jordan took a shot they countered it which got into a scramble.  Jordan came out on top for the takedown and 3 nearfall.  More nearfall for Jordan as the second period ends.  Third period Jordan took down.  Sehome turned out to be a leg rider, Jordan had to fight them off for about a minute, finally came out on top, for a reversal.  Couldn't quite get the turn with short time left.  Major decision 14-0 for Jordan.

145 - Aaron O'Neill - Aaron finally woke up a little bit and went out on a mission.  Got a quick takedown then locked up a cradle for the fall.  More like the Aaron we've seen in the past.

152 - Dylan Wolfe - Takedown for Dylan in the first and went to work riding tough.  Dylan kept the pressure on but was called for stalling for not coming out to the side.  He continued to ride tough for the rest of the period.  Second period they started nuetral, Dylan stepped into a head and arm but was able to fight off the fall.  In the process of fighting it off he got the escape making it 3-5 Sehome leading.  Dylan got a double leg late in the round making it 5-5 starting the third.  Dylan started down and did a knee dip for the escape.  He then worked into a single leg for the takedown and got a half on the way down.  Fall for Dylan.

160 - Joe Barrington-Richards - Joe worked underhooks for a lateral drop for the takedown and 2 nearfall.  He then moved to an armbar for the fall.

171 - Cory Barrington-Richards - Cory was wrestling a very tough competitor from Sehome (Santos is the number one ranked wrestler for 2A in Washington at 145 in the early season polls).  Single to a half for Sehome got them a quick 0-4 lead.  Couldn't quite get an escape as Cory was to his feet as the buzzer went off.  Second period we started down.  Cory sat out and got sucked back for 2 nearfall for Sehome.  Cory was often in his tripod but was unable to hit the kneedip due to the pressure of Sehome's wrestler, and he hasn't worked the granby in too long to know to go to that next.  6-0 at the end of the second.  Third period Cory started on top, Cory locked hands as Sehome was coming up and this is where his lack of mat time showed up as he pushed as Sehome turned and threw in a lateral drop.  The lateral drop was pretty loose and Cory had a chance to catch him on his back but he didn't know where to go to keep him on his back and was rolled as Sehome stayed with the throw.  Fall for Sehome.

189 - Derek Almanza - Sehome FFT to us.  Derek got the opportunity to wrestle against a Squalicum wrestler.  He turned out to not be a lot of competition for Derek.  Derek went out got a quick takedown and transition to a half nelson for the fall.

215 - Ricky Rodriguez - Ricky attempted a single leg but got stopped and then he was ducked by the Sehome wrestler.  Ricky worked hard to make his way out but was ridden for the remainder of the period.  Second period they started nuetral, Ricky went in for a duckunder but left his arm behind and was caught in a cow catcher.  Fall for Sehome.

Hvy - Chucky Bosquet - Chucky was working hard to get the snapdown again but was backing up to do it.  He got called for stalling and was looking at the official thinking that the match was stopped temporarily but it had not been and the Sehome wrestler dove at his feet and got the takedown with short time left.  Second period started neutral, Sehome shot in on a double leg that turned into a body lock.  Fall for Sehome.

103 - Double FFT

112 - Sehome FFT to Frank Burge.  Frank got to wrestle a Burlington wrestler though.  Early scramble turned into a takedown for Frank.  Frank put in a full nelson making the score 2-1.  The made their way to their feet where Frank got a whizzer and was looking to throw with it but stepped over, he bailed out of the move and as Burlington was covering Frank he got a head and arm.  Frank threw it and got the takedown and Fall.

119 - Double FFT

125 - Double FFT

130 - We FFT to Sehome.  The dual score is now 34-30.  It comes down to the final match.  High drama in Bellingham.

135 - Dustin Bearden - Scramble results in a takedown for Sehome.  Sehome with a tough ride on top, lots of crossfaces gets Dustin a little bloody but he seems excited and doesn't mind too much.  Second period starts neutral.  Single leg for Sehome and Dustin again only in his 6th match of his life holds onto the head a little too long.  Fall for Sehome. 

Final score Sehome 36 - Mount Vernon 34.  Good news is we get them again in 2 weeks at home, and we'll have two or three holes filled by then.

 

David Buchanan was brought along to get some mat time and in case Cory was unable to wrestle (he's broken his nose numerous times this season already...but continues to go hard).  David wrestled a Central Kitsap kid first.  They got an early takedown but David was able to get an escape.  CK then got another takedown late in the round.  Second period CK started down and got a reversal.  They scrambled on the mat for a while and David was able to get an escape.  The third period started neutral and David shot in on a double leg that worked great.  CK was tired and David still looked good so we cut him to make up points, but CK came in quick on his turnaround and got the takedown and caught David in a cradle for a fall for CK.  David was able to get a match against a Blaine wrestler as well.  David did a great snap down early Blaine countered with a switch, David stepped over and nearly got the fall.  They went out of bounds though so started fresh.  David fell off the side and gve up the reversal and then turned in and got caught in a cradle.  Time expired saving the match at this point the score was 5-5.  Second period we started on top.  David again was riding really tough, Blaine reached back and David panicked a little bit and in the scramble David gave up an escape.  Blaine shot in on a double which David fought really hard but did give up the takedown.  David worked and got a reversal but then fell off the side again and gave up a reversal and nearfall.  7-12 for Blaine entering the third period, and they started neutral.  Sprawl and go behind for the takedown.  Scramble results in a reversal for Blaine.  David got Blaine to fall of to the side and got the reversal but there wasn't enough time to get the nearfall.  Final score was 11-14 decision for Blaine. 

 

Overall the kids wrestled really hard and it seemed like we learned some things.  It was a good day for us and we got some good mat time and some things we need to work on.  We got some mat time for our inexperienced wrestlers.  As a coaching staff we were really proud of the way the kids wrestled and the effort put forth.  We need a few guys to get healthy again and a few guys to get some more mat time and we should be right where we ought to be in the end.  Time to go back to work today in the practice room.

 

It's a great day to be a Bulldog!

Paul