The South Kitsap High School wrestling team is accustomed to first-place individual performances and top-10 team finishes at Mat Classic.

But this year’s tournament, which ended Saturday, brought neither.

Senior Matt Foxworthy finished second at 215 pounds, while classmate Brad Feddersen placed sixth at 189.

Other than those two, the Wolves were shut out of the awards stand and finished 19th among 65 Class 4A schools in contention at the Tacoma Dome.

“It’s been kind of a roller coaster,” South coach Chad Nass said. “We’ve had some highs and some lows.”

Feddersen didn’t even advance to state last year, but nearly competed for the championship. He held an 8-0 lead against Graham Kapowsin’s Zach Folden, but lost by fall in the semifinals in 5 minutes, 47 seconds.

“That match probably was the hardest I’ve had all tournament,” Feddersen said. “I got stuck on my back, got out but then got caught in a headlock.”

Nass said Feddersen’s performance was one of the highlights of the Mat Classic.

“If you told me a month ago that Brad Feddersen would be placing here at the state tournament, I would’ve taken that in a heartbeat,” he said.

The senior lost in the consolation semifinals and then suffered a 17-2 setback against Lake Washington’s Grant Haschak in his final match for sixth.

Despite the losses, Feddersen was happy to place.

“It’s an achievement,” he said, adding that he’ll get to add his name to the wall of state placers at Maguire Wolf Den. “I was already on the academic side, but it really feels like it means something more to be on the actual wrestling part of the wall.”

The Wolves’ other three qualifiers didn’t advance past the first day. Sophomore Joel Miner, making his first state appearance, lost both his matches at 103.

“It’s pretty mind-boggling how big it is with all the people out there,” Miner said. “I’m not quite sure what happened to me out there with my matches. Hopefully, I’ll be a lot more prepared (next year).”

Simon Kipperberg, a junior, advanced to state for a second consecutive year but lost in the first round. He won a 7-3 decision against Shadle Park’s Justin Trevino in his first consolation match before being eliminated with a 6-5 loss against University’s Dan Seymour.

Two of his older brothers have won titles for the Wolves — Derek won it at 119 in 2002 and Josiah at 112 four years later.

“I want to be a state champion next year,” the younger Kipperberg said. “That’s going to be my goal. That’s all I’m going to try and do.”

South junior Adam Ferguson was similar to Kipperberg at 125. He lost his first match and rebounded to earn a 6-1 win against Kentwood’s Billy Creighton, but was eliminated with a 9-7 loss against Graham-Kapowsin’s Ryan Johnson.

“It was a scramble the whole time,” Ferguson said. “I felt like I was going to pull it out at the end. I’ll come out with a little more aggression next year.”

Both of Kipperberg’s losses came against state placers and Ferguson’s 15-0 first-round loss came against Mead’s Philip Smith, the eventual state champion. Johnson, who handed him his second loss, placed seventh.

“We had some tough matches where our kids got some tough draws,” Nass said. “But our kids wrestled hard.”

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