Roosevelt High School wrestlers took a rough ride on the mats of Mercer Island last Wednesday, losing 57-18.
The Islanders flexed their collective muscles from start to finish, including eight pins. The most exciting of the pins came in the 160 pound match, as Mercer Island’s Peter Lee fought back from a 7-3 deficit to earn the slap of the ref’s hand with 15 seconds left in the second period.
“I took some bad shots and he took advantage,” said Lee. “But I was able to get away and grab his head. I just wore him out after a while.”
The conditioning work that the team did over winter break came in handy for many of the Islanders. Mercer Island’s Phillip Frazier put on a clinic during the first match of the night at 145 pounds. Frazier won the match during the third round, outscoring his opponent 17-1 to earn a major decision.
At 152 pounds, Islander Nate Beckett earned a pin 18 seconds into the second round, while Cole Johnson extended the Islander lead to 23-0 with a pin during the second round of the 171 pound match. Johnson beat out teammate and 2007-2008 varsity starter Jake Frazier for the spot during winter break.
“He lost a challenge match to Cole 5-0,” said Mercer Island coach Creighton Laughary. “Our practices are pretty competitive.”
Islander Colton Knebel continued to rip through the competition, beating his opponent, at 189 pounds, at the 3:12 mark.
Senior captain Graham Horgdal earned the quickest pin of the night at 215 pounds. The 1:08 pin is one of the reasons that Horgdal continues to lead the team on and off the mat.
“I have tried to bring a lot more intensity to practice,” said Horgdal.
TJ Blackburn dominated the heavy weight division with a 2:13 pin, to give the Islanders an insurmountable 41-0 lead.
The Roughriders got on the board at 103 pounds but at 112 pounds Scott Mills built up a 10-1 lead before putting his opponent’s shoulders on the mat at the 3:15 mark.
Blake Johnson defeated his 130 pound opponent 13-0, followed by James Kashima’s injury default victory at 135 pounds.
Mercer Island remains undefeated but will travel to Juanita tonight at 7:30 p.m.
The biggest meet of the year will come on the last day of the regular season at Bothell High School. Mercer Island will take on Inglewood and Woodinville in a double dual meet. Inglewood is currently 5-0 and Woodinville was the 4A KingCo champion last year.
“There are going to be some tough matches,” said Laughary. “Woodinville beat Roosevelt like we did so they still have a great program.”
