Stanwood wrestling rallies to beat Marysville Pilchuck

MARYSVILLE — Before the match, Stanwood wrestling coach Ray Mather was trying to devise a way to squeeze out a win against Western Conference 3A North rival Marysville Pilchuck.

And try as he might, Mather was having a hard time coming up with a winning formula.

“I never thought we were going to win,” he admitted later. With some new faces in his lineup, “I was trying to figure out every scenario (to win), and I couldn’t figure out how we were going to do it. Because on paper we weren’t supposed to win.”

But in an evening of surprises — and for Mather, they were mostly pleasant surprises — Stanwood shrugged off an early deficit and closed with a flourish to defeat the host Tomahawks 47-29 on Thursday night.

Trailing 29-21 with five matches to go, the Spartans won all five bouts, including three with pins. Stanwood actually clinched the win with a technical fall in the next-to-last bout, and then tacked on a pin for good measure in the finale.

“That’s the best we’ve wrestled all year,” Mather said. “So I’m very happy.”

The Christmas break is sometimes a troublesome interruption for wrestling coaches. Some kids miss workouts because of family trips and other plans. Other kids have trouble making weight because of holiday feasting. And by the time the season resumes, coaches are often unsure what to expect.

“Coming off Christmas break is always tough,” Mather acknowledged. “But I was actually really impressed with what we did. It was a good team effort.”

To no one’s surprise, Stanwood’s Zach Schut turned in the match’s most dominating performance, needing just 34 seconds to get a pin at 160 pounds. Schut finished fifth at the Class 4A state tournament a year ago, and he is currently ranked third in Class 3A.

“That’s typical of what we expect out of him,” Mather said.

But what swung the match for the Spartans were some less likely victories. Stanwood’s Carlos Vilchis had already been pinned twice this season by Marysville Pilchuck’s Jory Cooper at 285 pounds, but this night it was Vilchis getting the first-period pin.

Likewise, Stanwood’s Jacob Scott had been previously pinned by the Tomahawks’ Ryan Daurie, but Scott ended up with a 2-0 decision.

“Those were both real big swing matches,” said Tomahawks coach Craig Iversen. “If you have a close dual (match), that’s usually what it’s going to come down to. Each team is going to have their guns where they get their expected wins … but then it usually comes down to one or two (swing) matches.”

The Spartans also got a big win at 120 pounds, where Nathan McCaughan wrestled his first varsity match of the season and pinned Marysville Pilchuck’s Jacob Greene in the second period.

Despite the loss, “it was a great match,” Iversen said. “We’ve battled with Stanwood over the years, and it’s a fun dual for us. … We thought we’d be able to get this done tonight, but it just didn’t happen.

“We took our lumps,” he added, “but now we’re going to come back and try to get them at districts.”

Stanwood improved its season mark to a sparkling 8-0, but Mather insists his squad still has “lots of work to do. We’ve still got some growing to do with some techniques.”

But for one special night, he said, “some of our kids really stepped up. And I’m very, very proud of their effort.”

At Marysville Pilchuck H.S.

145—Anthony Moffitt (MP) pinned Tanner Peterson 3:13; 152—Killian Page (MP) tech. fall Dalton Gilman 16-0; 160—Zach Schut (S) pinned Hunter Hintze :34; 170—Drew Hatch (MP) pinned Anthony Ortega 1:02; 182—Keegan Noel (S) pinned Jake Merrick 3:42 2nd; 195—Garrett Arrona (S) dec. Ismael Perez 7-0; 220—Iggy Gabov (MP) pinned Austin Brandt 1:24; 285—Carlos Vilchis (S) pinned Jory Cooper 1:24; 106—Sam Foss (MP) won by forfeit; 112—Wes Weinert (S) pinned Jonathan Neumann 2:16; 120—Nathan McCaughan (S) pinned Jacob Greene 3:51; 126—Jacob Scott (S) dec. Ryan Daurie 2-0; 132—Kane Ayling (S) tech. fall Mark Mullen-Gaffney 15-0; 138—Nathaniel Zinkand (S) pinned Andrew Wolfe 1:51. Records—Stanwood 1-0 league, 8-0 overall. Marysville Pilchuck 0-1, 3-3.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

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

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck 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)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

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