Finishing second in the South Puget Sound League 3A wrestling standings with a 5-1 mark, Bonney Lake High achieved the highest regular-season ranking in the school’s six-year history.

The Lakes Lancers weren’t about to give BLHS wrestlers their second-place honors without a fight, as a Jan. 26 outcome was not determined until the last bout had been decided.

The dual match, which was a nail-biter from the outset, had the Panther wrestling rooters on the edge of their seats throughout the evening, as BLHS found itself trailing 6-0 when Lakes recorded the initial win, via a pin at 152 pounds.

At 160 pounds, BLHS senior Justin Rush, who was one of a foursome of Panther upperclassman honored during a prematch ceremony, rose to the occasion, claiming a 13-4 major decision.

Next up was another Bonney Lake senior in 171-pounder Evan Dorsey and he put the Panthers out front 7-6, by earning a hard fought 10-4 decision.

Bonney Lake dropped two of the next three bouts, falling behind 14-13 heading into the 103 pound battle.

That changed with Colton Tracy, who pinned his opponent in 33 seconds.

That put BLHS in the driver’s seat at 19-14, but Lakes’ Alex Nieves quickly pinned Bonney Lake’s man at 112 pounds and the Lancers again broke into a one point advantage at 20-19.

Reigning state champion Andrew Cunningham did not have an easy time of it and felt fortunate to come away with a narrow 11-8 decision, giving BLHS a slim 22-20 lead.

Bonney Lake dropped the next two matches by falls and only a Lancer forfeit at 135 pounds made the score close once more at 32-28 in favor of LHS.

This seemingly put the weight of the world squarely on the shoulders of BLHS freshman 140-pounder Jeremy Sabin, who scored a four-point major decision to tie the accounting at 32. When Lakes forfeited the final match the Panthers had clinched second place in the SPSL 3A with a 38-32 triumph.

The Panthers are at the subregional tournament Friday and Saturday at Auburn Mountainview, where the top four advance to regionals Feb. 12 at BLHS.