Foxworthy advances sans pins

Two days and no pins.

That’s not unusual for most wrestlers, but South Kitsap senior Matt Foxworthy pinned 28 opponents in his first 31 matches. Foxworthy, the top-ranked Class 4A wrestler at 215 pounds, improved to 34-0 and was the only Wolves wrestler to take first place at Saturday’s regionals at Foss High School, but he did it without a pin.

“It’s a little frustrating I didn’t get pins, but I took a lot of good shots,” Foxworthy said.

He said some of that was strategic. Foxworthy, who won a 10-1 decision against Rogers’ Jordan Waits for the championship, said he wanted to wrestle opponents for “full 6 minutes” in preparation for state, where tough opponents likely will be more difficult to pin than previous opponents.

South coach Chad Nass shared his perspective, saying that “it’s always good to go three hard rounds.”

“He really wanted to get his offense going. He knows when he gets to state, he’s going to have to shoot more. He could tie up with you if you want to tie up with him, or he can shoot at you. He showed he’s not just one dimensional.”

Foxworthy got it in his semifinal match when Beamer’s David Sullivan took him down and trailed just 4-3 after one period. Foxworthy rebounded to earn a 12-5 win.

“We wrestled last year and he’s a fighter,” Foxworthy said. “It’s good for me to get a taste of all different wrestlers.”

He helped the Wolves finish with 138.5 points, third behind Graham-Kapowsin (229.5) and Rogers (217). Emerald Ridge (118) and Beamer (102) rounded out the top five in the 19-team field.

In addition to Foxworthy, sophomore Joel Miner (second place, 103 pounds), junior Simon Kipperberg (third, 112), junior Adam Ferguson (fourth, 125) and senior Brad Feddersen (second, 189) all placed in the top four for South to qualify in Friday and Saturday’s Mat Classic at the Tacoma Dome. Two teammates, junior Kyle Fenton (130) and senior Quincy Lyman (140), will serve as alternates.

Feddersen, who has a 28-10 record, won 15 consecutive matches and hadn’t lost since the Jan. 12 Central Kitsap Matman Classic. He lost 12-3 in the final against Emerald Ridge’s Erik Halsey.

“I was hoping to win, but it was a good match and there’s still next week,” said Feddersen, who will make his first Mat Classic appearance.

Miner, who has a 28-6 record, also was close, but was pinned in the final by Curtis’ Cort Schatz in 5 minutes, 32 seconds. He also will make his first state appearance.

“It’s more than I expected at the beginning of the year,” he said.

Kipperberg finished his day with a pin in 1:54 against Curtis’ Owen Williams.

“He’s peaking at the right time,” Nass said. “It will be his second trip back to state and I think he wants to get more out of it.”

Ferguson lost a 6-5 decision against Rogers’ Brian Bitney. It’s the second consecutive year he’s placed fourth at regionals in his weight class.

“I was kind of hoping to do a little better, but there’s some really good kids,” Ferguson said. “I’m glad I’m to state and get another shot at placing.”

The five Wolves headed to Mat Classic represent one less than last year, but Nass isn’t necessarily disappointed. He felt South “could get seven, or eight, or two.”

One difference between now and a year ago is the possibility of an individual state championship for the Wolves. Their last state championships came in 2006 when Josiah Kipperberg (112) and Brent Chriswell (189) both won titles. Foxworthy placed third last year.

“I’m kind of sad it’s here already,” Foxworthy said. “I’m going to get a little choked up at the banquet. It’s going to be a lot easier to leave as a state champion, though.”

Mat Classic passes are $20 for adults, $14 for students and senior citizens. One-day tickets are $13 for adults and $9 for students and senior citizens.

Team scores—Graham Kapowsin 229.5, Rogers 217, South Kitsap 138.5, Emerald Ridge 118, Todd Beamer 102, Curtis 92, Olympia 91, Puyallup 87, Bethel 74, Foss 68, North Kitsap 53.5, Central Kitsap 50, Gig Harbor 46, Spanaway Lake 40, Bellarmine 37, Mount Tahoma 37, Wilson 35, Lincoln 20, Stadium 8.

Championship matches

103—Cort Schatz (Curtis) p. Joel Miner (SK) 5:32; 112—Efrain Aguilar (GK) p. Kamm Freundenstein (Foss) 2:21; 119—Zach Barnes (Wilson) won by injury default over Alex Acosta (Bethel); 125—Kameron Bitney (Puyallup) d. Ryan Johnson (GK) 13-3; 130—Trevor Mills (TB) d. Corey Obungen (TB) 14-2; 135—Jared Sterling (Rogers) p. Tyler Enos (TB) 5:27; 140—Jeff Eaton (Rogers) d. Gabe Weber (ER) 10-8; 145—Alex Barley (GK) p. Brent Maybury (Rogers) 3:45; 152—Brad Sweet (GK) d. Kyle Foster (Rogers) 11-3; 160—Nick Budinger (Bethel) d. Tyler Story (GK) 6-5; 171—Shayne Erickson (GK) d. Mitch Steed (ER) 4-0; 189—Erik Halsey (ER) d. Brad Fedderson (SK) 12-3; 215—Matt Foxworthy (SK) d. Jordan Waits (Rogers) 10-1; 285—Jeff O'Connor (Curtis) d. Allan Thompson (Rogers) 6-5.

Third/Fourth places (South Kitsap only)

112—Simon Kipperberg (SK) p. Owen Williams (Curtis) 1:54; 125—Travis Bitney (Rogers) d. Adam Ferguson (SK) 6-5.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.