Winter sports preview: Sequim wrestlers grapplers look to improve in ‘21-‘22

By Michael Dashiell • December 8, 2021 1:30 am
Sequim High wrestlers warm up in a practice at the old Sequim Community School gymnasium last week. The Wolves return eight grapplers and boast a 17-member roster in 2021-2022. Sequim Gazette by Michael Dashiell
Sequim High wrestlers warm up in a practice at the old Sequim Community School gymnasium last week. The Wolves return eight grapplers and boast a 17-member roster in 2021-2022. Sequim Gazette by Michael Dashiell

Just a few months removed from a 2020-2021 season that saw a roster depleted to just 10 grapplers, Sequim head coach Chad Cate has 17 wrestlers gearing up for a ‘21-‘22 campaign in purple and gold.

“It’s the first time in two plus seasons (we’re) not starting at zero,” Cate said at a preseason practice last week. “It’s nice to have momentum.”

The Wolves see eight returning wrestlers back on the mast this winter, including two seniors — both girls — and a half-dozen boys that saw varsity action in a shortened, postseason-less campaign in May that lasted just six weeks.

“Usually during a season, six weeks is where you should be (seeing them) turn the corner … they’ll understand what they’re capable of (by then),” Cate said.

Instead, Sequim will look to improve over last season’s campaign that saw them struggle to fill out most weight classes in each league match.

Cate said he has expectations for big things from returning juniors Mirek Skov, Aaron Tolberd and Brandon Linson, as well as junior Sam Fitzgerald, who won a pair of varsity matches last season and came close to wins in several others.

“I expect him to have a solid season,” Cate said of Fitzgerald.

The Sequim coach also said he’s excited to see the season 106-pounder newcomer Cayden Beauregard, a sophomore, who had a strong showing at a jamboree on Dec. 1 in Port Angeles, will put together.

“He gets after it,” Cate said of Beauregard.While Sequim’s girls lost Aleah Chen to graduation they get back veteran Jordan Hegtvedt and reigning Olympic League 170-pound MVP Petra Bernsten, who went 4-0 in league matches last season.

Assistants include former head coach Erik Wiker and Kjel Skov.

Winter Sports Preview: SHS wrestling

Head coach: Chad Cate (second full season)

2020-2021 results: 0-3

Returners: Boys — Samuel Fitzgerald (jr.), Brandon Linson (jr.), Aaron Tolberd (jr.), Ari Skov (so.), Mirek Skov (jr.), Riley Tadlock (so.). Girls — Petra Bernsten (sr.), Jordan Hegtvedt (sr.)

Newcomers: Boys — Cayden Beauregard (so.), Dylan Bowen (so.), Roger Burwash (so.), Ty Coone (sr.), Isaac Moore (jr.), James Smith (so.), Azuriah Sylvester (fr.). Girls — Isabella Diaz (jr.), Isabella Gonzalez-Adams (so.)

Sequim High School wrestling 2021-2022 schedule

Date Opponent Time

Dec. 1 Jamboree at Port Angeles 5 p.m.

Dec. 11 at Fife tournament 9 a.m.

Dec. 15 at Kingston 5 p.m.

Jan. 8 Battle for the Axe (PA) 9 a.m.

Jan. 12 vs. Bremerton 5 p.m.

Jan. 19 at North Kitsap (Bainbridge) 5 p.m.

Jan. 26 at North Mason (Olympic) 5 p.m.

Sequim High head coach Chad Cate oversees a preseason practice last week. Sequim Gazette by Michael Dashiell

Sequim High head coach Chad Cate oversees a preseason practice last week. Sequim Gazette by Michael Dashiell