SK advances five

They fought through the close ones, survived an illegal slam and showed their strength all in the matter of a few minutes, and now the South Kitsap boys wrestling team will take its next, final step.

Josiah Kipperberg and Brent Chriswell cruised to regional titles while Kyle Saltsgaver, Rodger Nutall and Brandon Kelly fought their way through the consolation bracket Saturday to give South five representatives at this weekend’s Mat Classic in the Tacoma Dome.

“There were a lot of close ones,” South co-coach Chad Nass said. “We could have easily had seven or even eight.

“We’re small in numbers but they’re pretty tough kids,” Nass said. “We could go into the Tacoma Dome and have a good weekend and we could get five state placers.”

Kipperberg and Chriswell had little opposition in taking titles at 103 and 171 pounds, respectively. Kipperberg rolled over Jacob Garza of Mountain View 17-6 while Chriswell pinned Tek Fish of Heritage just 51 seconds into their finals match.

Nutall (125), Saltsgaver (215) and Kelly (135) all finished fourth to qualify. Nutall and Saltsgaver scored late in the consolation matches to advance while Kelly won by injury disqualification after being illegally slammed by Port Angeles’ Nick Haffner — the third time Haffner has slammed Kelly this year, leading many to question his motives.

“I really couldn’t tell you other than what we’ve experienced,” Nass said. “(Haffner) seems like a really nice kid when you talk to him. And he’s always very apologetic. It’s just that you can’t slam people like that.

“And unfortunately, the three times he’s done it to Brandon, he’s really hurt Brandon,” Nass said. “This last time, he really hurt him good. Brandon’s hips were above the guy’s head and you just can’t do that.”

Kelly was unable to finish the match and was awarded the win. He has been cleared to take part in the state meet.

While Nutall scored late in his match to advance, Saltsgaver came from behind to score a pin on Ryan Johns of Capital with 1:06 left in the match.

Saltsgaver stayed with his “bread and butter move” he said, a front headlock. But with just 30 seconds remaining in the match and trailing 6-5, he realized something.

“It was time to go,” Saltsgaver said, “and give it everything. I want to be there next week.”

And now he is.

“I totally expected Kyle to make it through,” Nass said. “Rodger, it’s a nice surprise. We’ve thought all along that Rodger has had the talent. It just seems like he hasn’t been able to put it all together. There’s been glimpses of it but it’s not been on a consistent basis.

“I think Rodger set a goal of getting to state and he was just determined to find a way to get there,” Nass said. “And he did. He beat a real tough kid to get in.”

Nutall got a late reversal on Nathan Hatch of Heritage to take a 2-1 decision.

“I’m excited and pumped up,” Nutall said. “I gave it all I had. I gave my heart out. I had a little doubt, but I’m glad to be where I’m at now. It’s going to be awesome.”

The Wolves just missed out on taking a few more as Garrett Lyman, Chris Hogan and Steve Medina all finished in fifth place, just one spot away from qualifying.

South’s Lenny Schwartz was sixth at 189, losing an overtime match that would have sent him to state as well.

The Mat Classic gets under way at 10 a.m. Friday. Saturday’s finals are slated to begin at 5 p.m.

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