Marysville-Pilchuck wrestling improves to 6-1, ready to start the second half

Double duels are always risky — especially during the holidays. But the Tommies proved that family vacations and big dinners weren't an issue with 13 pins and a pair of wins in a double dual with O'Dea and Granite Falls Dec. 30.

By Travis Sherer • December 31, 2009 2:10 pm
Tanner Bengen fights for controlling position against Granite Falls.
Tanner Bengen fights for controlling position against Granite Falls.

MARYSVILLE — Double duels are always risky — especially during the holidays.

But the Tommies proved that family vacations and big dinners weren’t an issue with 13 pins and a pair of wins in a double dual with O’Dea and Granite Falls Dec. 30.

“It was a great team effort today,” said Marysville-Pilchuck coach Craig Iverson. “Sometimes it’s tough in winter to keep the intensity and everybody healthy.”

Truth be told, the Tomahawks, who improved to 6-1 on the season, didn’t have much trouble with either team, as shown in the 57-21 win over Granite Falls to start the day.

Seniors Kyle Bossom (189 pounds) and Luke Shumaker (145) had two pins apiece with each recording a fall in less than a minute against Granite Falls.

There is a sense of confidence in Marysville wrestling this year that is personified by Shumaker, who exudes so much on the mat that it can only have come with success.

Also, there is Brian Donaldson, who was at one point ranked in washingtonwrestlingreport.com’s top 10 at 130 pounds before losing his first match just two weeks ago in Mount Vernon.

“Brian has really stepped up,” Iverson said. “He leads the way by example. He has been working really hard in the summer time, putting in extra time and now that has really separated him from everybody else. That loss can be a good thing, now he doesn’t have to protect his record.”

Also scoring pins for the Tommies against Granite Falls were Luis Cardona (103 pounds, 3:16), Tanner Daurie (119, 3:31), Brandon Donaldson (145, 3:10) and Daniel Hinckley (215, 1:55). Other Marysville winners included Tanner Bengen (152, 7-6) and Brandon Blevins (130) and Thomas Haas (135) won by forfeit.

The Tomahawks are enjoying a strong first half of the season, scoring wins over Everett, Shorewood, Edmonds-Woodway and Mountlake Terrace. Their only loss came to state-title favorite and two-time defending champion Lake Stevens.

“They’ve done right about what we’ve hoped for,” Iverson said. “But we’re about to get into the meat of the season and I’m really excited about the second half.”

Marysville has eight more meets before the postseason, including the M-P Premiere Jan. 16.

Scoring pins in the match against O’Dea were Ruben Escalante (119, 1:24), Christian Mendoza (125, 1:05) and Zach Schumann (285, 2:45). Other Marysville winners included Blevens (130, 3-0) and Cardona and Donaldson were won by forfeit.