SLIDESHOW: No. 1-ranked Enumclaw wrestles win from No. 2 Bonney Lake

In the battle between the two top Class 3A wrestling teams in the state, Enumclaw retained its status as No. 1 Wednesday night with a 39-36 victory over Bonney Lake. The defending 3A champion Hornets threw everything but the kitchen sink at the No. 2-ranked Panthers and the Panthers returned the favor in the South Puget Sound League 3A season opener.

By Brenda Sexton • December 8, 2011 12:52 am
Colten Malek was part of the Enumclaw High wrestling team's three-pin run that helped the No. 1-ranked Hornets defeat No. 2 Bonney Lake in the South Puget Sound League 3A season opener Dec. 7.
Colten Malek was part of the Enumclaw High wrestling team's three-pin run that helped the No. 1-ranked Hornets defeat No. 2 Bonney Lake in the South Puget Sound League 3A season opener Dec. 7.

In the battle between the two top Class 3A wrestling teams in the state, Enumclaw retained its status as No. 1 Wednesday night with a 39-36 victory over Bonney Lake.

The defending 3A champion Hornets threw everything but the kitchen sink at the No. 2-ranked Panthers and the Panthers returned the favor in the South Puget Sound League 3A season opener.

“Cole (Snider) being hurt, we had to bump everyone up,” EHS coach Lee Reichert said of his 138 pounder who was hurt during Saturday’s White River Classic. “They were willing to do anything for the team, our 126 went to 132, 132 to 138. It was the only way we could get it done. We figured it would be close.

“Both teams wrestled tough,” he continued. “We knew it would be especially this early in the season. I’m proud of the kids. We wrestled tough.”

The match started at 182 pounds with Panther Evan Dorsey racking up a pair of late match takedowns for an 8-3 decision over Kelyn Wallin.

Enumclaw’s T.J. Cormier, Colten Malek and Chris Williams slammed together three straight pins – at 58, 26 and 18 seconds, respectively – to give the Hornets a quick 18-3 lead.

Bonney Lake jumped back into the contest with Brandon Cunningham’s 8-4 victory over Hunter Haney at 106 pounds.

Colton Tracy pulled the Panthers within six with a pin at 113.

EHS’s Tyke Reid answered with a pin at 119.

Bonney Lake’s Andrew Cunningham and Caid Caveness registered back-to-back pins at 126 and 132 to tie the match at 24.

Travis Reano bumped up to 138 pounds for the Hornets and pinned his Panther opponent to put EHS up for good.

Lucas Somera stretched the Hornets’ lead wih a pin at 145 and teammate Justin Mitchell earned a 6-1 decision at 152.

Jeremy Sabin picked up a pin at 160 to pull the Panthers within nine and Jake Lueders scored the final fall of the night to make it a three-point contest in the end.

The victory kept EHS’s league win streak alive at 38. The Hornets head to the Sedro Wolley tournament Saturday, while Bonney Lake hosts the Panther Invite.