State power Hawks pin way past game Bulldogs

SANDPOINT — Facing one of the top 4A teams in the state, the Bulldogs knew it would be a tough dual on Friday night during the wrestling portion of the Battle for the Paddle spirit games at SHS.

Before a capacity crowd of more than 1,500, cheering every takedown, escape and reversal, the Bulldogs showed some grit in a 54-27 loss to the Hawks, who figure to be a legit state contender next month.

Ryan McNelley (170), Hyrum Hunsaker (182), Andrew Webster (195), Evan Stickelmeyer (285) and Malachi Fleck (132) earned wins, as well as the respect of their head coach.

“Every one of our guys battled. We brought fire and intensity, and wrestled with heart,” said Bulldogs head coach Jake Stark, who felt the dual was closer than many expected. “We didn’t lie down, we put up a real good fight.”

After trailing 18-3 at one point, Lakeland, which has four legit state champion contenders among its ranks, claimed seven of the last eight matches to double up the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs are now 3-9 in duals, and travel to face Lakeland again on Thursday.

LAKELAND 54, SANDPOINT 27

160 — Logan Kelley (Lakeland) d. Isaiah Fleck (Sandpoint) (Dec 6-5)

170 — Ryan McNelley (Sandpoint) p. Curtis Johnson, :56.

182 — Hyrum Hunsaker (Sandpoint) p. Hunter Oles, 3:55.

195 — Andrew Webster (Sandpoint) p. Nathanael Dansereau, 1:19.

220 — Lucas Gardner (Lakeland) p. Matt Thurlow, :53.

285 — Evan Stickelmeyer (Sandpoint) p. Sam Feusier, :14.

98 — Andrea Taylor (Lakeland), by forfeit.

106 — Alex Edelblute (Lakeland) p. Heather Wallace, 1:13.

113 — Tavis Woempner (Lakeland) md. Casey Olesen, 13-0.

120 — Sam Edelblute (Lakeland) p. Mclean Weig, 1:30.

126 — William Edelblute (Lakeland) p. Cameron Albert, 3:06.

132 — Malachi Fleck (Sandpoint) p. Luke Hellem, 4:00.

138 — Ryan Quimby (Lakeland) tf. August Johnson, 17-0.

145 — Cage Hendry (Lakeland) p. Brady Nelson, 1:20.

152 — Larry Johnson (Lakeland) p. Dillan Mitton, 1:10.