Sequim Gazette staff

Sequim traveled to the HammerHead Invitational at the Kitsap Sun Pavilion Dec. 16-17, claiming a total of 43 wins out of 74 matches wrestled.

The Wolves’ boy’s team finished 19th, trailing Olympic League teams Olympic (ninth), Kingston (13th), North Mason (14th) and North Kitsap (18th).  

Sequim senior co-captain Dakota Hinton improved his season record to 11-3 with five wins in the 170-pound weight class. His only loss was a 7-3 semifinal overtime setback  to Darin Hardgrove of Eastmont (3A); Hardgrove is ranked No. 8 in the state by washingtonwrestlingreport.com.

Hinton was the lone Wolves’ medal winner, capturing third place. However, four Sequim grapplers finished just one win shy of the medal round, including Luke Mooney (138 pounds, 4-2

record), Mustang Riggins (145, 5-2 record), Austin Leach (182, 3-2 record) and Clay Charley (285, 3-2 record).

Picking up two wins each were Royhon Agostine (113 pounds), C.J. White (145), Lopaka Yasumura (170) and Jacob Cooper (285).

Decatur claimed the boys’ team  trophy with 178 points, followed by Timberline, South Kitsap, Peninsula and North Marion (Salem, Ore.).

“This was a great tournament and gave our kids a good look at some top state and regional caliber wrestlers,” Sequim coach Len Borchers said.

Sequim also sent two girls to the competition. Emily Halverson (118-pound weight class) and Kaylee Ditlefsen (130) both placed fourth, helping the Wolves finish 10th out of 18 teams.

In her first varsity action ever, Ditlefsen picked up four wins in six matches while Halverson, also competing in her first varsity matches, went 2-2.

Sequim heads to Port Angeles today, Dec. 21, for the Battle for the Axe Tournament.