Snohomish wrestlers give strong performance against E-W

SNOHOMISH — It wasn’t quite a perfect wrestling meet for the Snohomish Panthers.

But it was close.

Snohomish won the first two matches — and seven of the last nine bouts — to defeat Edmonds-Woodway 54-15 in a nonconference meet Thursday night at Snohomish High School.

“You always plan to go 84-0, but there’s some that didn’t go our way. That usually happens,” Snohomish head coach Rob Zabel said with a laugh.

Keaton Mills began the night by pinning his opponent in the 132-pound weight class, the first of six pins by the Panthers. After Riley Todd won a 14-2 decision at 152 pounds — sandwiched between wins by Edmonds-Woodway’s Hiram Martin (145 pounds) and Nathan Vulliet (160 pounds) — Mark Currier got Snohomish going with a 10-6 decision over the Warriors’ Jonah Perez at 170 pounds.

Currier’s triumph — the first of the sophomore’s varsity career — ushered in five-consecutive Panther victories, with Tristan Baus’ win by forfeit at 220 pounds clinching it for Snohomish.

Like Currier, it was Todd’s first varsity victory. The duo continue to impress Zabel with their strong work ethic.

“Those are guys working really hard and getting better,” Zabel said. “It’s nice to see the hard work pay off for them. They’re both key cogs in what we’re trying to do.”

Currier’s bout was one of the closest of the night. Another tight battle came in the 145-pound weight class where Edmonds-Woodway’s Martin outlasted Kiyoshi Akazawa in a 7-3 decision. It was the first victory of the night for Edmonds-Woodway — the ninth-place team at last year’s 4A state wrestling tournament — which got to within eight points after Vulliet’s 13-4 major decision.

But Snohomish’s run in the final nine matches put it away and helped the Panthers improve their record to 2-0 in this early season.

“We have a lot of growing left to do,” Zabel said. “There’s a lot of things we aren’t doing very well. But we’re so blessed as a coaching staff to have guys that work hard and put their egos aside to get better everyday.

“We’re good now. We have kids with aspirations to be great. That’s what makes it fun as a coach.”

Snohomish also got pins from Garrett Stich at 182 pounds, Justin Kearney (195), Wyatt Garder in the heavyweight bout, Brad Hodkinson (113) and sophomore Conner Snow, who pinned his opponent in the 126-pound weight class in 3 minutes, 1 second to end the meet and give Snohomish its final score.

Edmonds-Woodway 106-pounder Ebrima Fatty and Gabe Baltazar (120-pounds) got major decisions to earn four points apiece for the Warriors (1-1), who feature a familiar name for Zabel. Vulliet, a senior for Edmonds-Woodway, has an older brother, Andrew, that wrestled for the Warriors, and their dad is a good friend of Zabel’s.

The Snohomish coach had high praise for the Edmonds-Woodway wrestler and his family.

“Edmonds has had a bunch of kids named Vulliet,” Zabel said. “They’re great wrestlers and great kids. It’s nice when you’re competing against kids you really respect.”

Snohomish, which finished 23rd at the state wrestling tournament last year, is off to a strong start this season. However, Zabel said there is still a lot of areas for the Panthers to improve.

“The key thing is that drive to keep wanting to get better,” Zabel said. “We have had success and it would be easy for us to get to the point where we can just show up and beat people. … But as long as we can stay hungry and work hard, every day we can get better.”

At Snohomish H.S.

132—Keaton Mills (S) pinned Nathan Nash, 3:01; 138—Noah Bomar (S) tech. fall over Jonah Cortezzo, 16-1; 145—Hiram Martin (E-W) dec. Kiyoshi Akazawa, 7-3; 152—Riley Todd (S) maj. dec. Trevor Hendricks, 14-2; 160—Nathan Vulliet (E-W) maj. dec. Sawyer Sahlinger, 13-4; 170—Mark Currier (S) dec. Jonah Perez, 10-6; 182—Garrett Stich (S) pinned Spencer Schultz, 4:22; 195—Justin Kearney (S) pinned Jasen Turnquist, 1:04; 220—Tristan Baus (S) won by forfeit; 285—Wyatt Garder (S) pinned Cole Akers, 0:53; 106—Ebrima Fatty (E-W) maj. dec. Dillan Meyer, 14-0; 113—Brad Hodkinson (S) pinned Sidat Kanyi, 2:48; 120—Gabe Baltazar (E-W) maj. dec. Josh Christianson, 14-3; 126—Conner Snow (S) pinned Jackson Fair, 2:57. Records—Edmonds-Woodway 1-1. Snohomish 2-0.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Silvertips’ Kaden Hammell (47) enters the rink during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Patterson: Overachieving Silvertips had season worth celebrating

In a season when some thought the team’s playoff streak could end, Everett put together one of its greatest campaigns.

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.