South doubles its pleasure

At least he has the title to enjoy.

Just moments after winning the 189-pound state championship at Mat Classic XVIII on Saturday night in Tacoma, South Kitsap wrestler Brent Chriswell began sharing the wealth with his fans, giving away everything but the family business.

But the one thing that can never be taken away, by anyone, is becoming the first-ever South wrestler to win two state titles. Or the first to win back-to-back state titles for South. Or to be part of a tandem, along with Josiah Kipperberg, that is the first to win two individual titles in the year.

“We never really thought about it until it happened,” Chriswell said. “It’s like, ‘Wow, we’re the first two-time placers. We’re the first two-time guys.’ ”

Chriswell capped off a perfect 39-0 senior season with a 9-7 win over Mariner's Mohammed Mustafa to capture his second straight Class 4A state wrestling title.

Chriswell’s win, combined with Kipperberg’s title at 112 pounds, sent the Wolves to an eighth-place team finish and closed out a pair of distinctly different high school careers.

“Both of them had a great tournament,” South coach Chad Nass said. “They really wrestled here the way they wrestled all year long – really smart and really dominant. And I’m really going to miss both of them.

“It’s really kind of funny because they both really have different ways of approaching things,” Nass said. “But both approaches are, obviously, very successful. And that makes it pretty neat.”

Although Chriswell’s much-anticipated match with Mustafa didn’t live up to its hyped expectations, it was close from start to finish. Tied 6-6 entering the final two minutes, Chriswell, who dominated the match, scored a late reversal to secure his second title.

“This year was just about winning,” Chriswell said. “Winning – that’s all it was about this year. Nothing else. Of course, I had some goals but this was the one.

“He was a tough kid, he was strong, real strong,” Chriswell said. “He wasn’t much on technique, though.”

With one of his future college coaches, Purdue assistant Tom Erikson, looking on, the ultra-laid-back Chriswell mingled with family and friends and started giving away anything he could, including his wrestling shoes.

He saved the best for last, though, giving his first-place medal to former SK coach Larry Maguire.

Since winning the state title a year ago at 171 pounds, Chriswell has been the hunted man. But his style, both on and off the mat, helped him make school history.

“I’m glad he got that experience while he was in high school,” Nass said. “That will definitely make him a better wrestler when he gets to college.”

Kipperberg needed overtime to defeat University’s Brian Owen and set up the possibility of South’s first-ever double win.

“I think it’s everyone’s dream to wrestle in overtime in the state final and win,” Kipperberg said. “That’s, that’s so cool.”

Kipperberg’s win went just as Nass wanted it to. Knowing how strong and tough Owen was, Nass wanted Kipperberg to stay on his feet and avoid going to the mat except when he was sure he could score points.

And while the title was sweet, the first-place medal ended up in his father Scott’s hands soon after he was awarded it.

“I guess it’s too heavy for my neck,” Kipperberg joked, “so I gave it to him. It’s not really the medal I wanted – just knowing that I wrestled good and hard. It will just end up on my wall and probably collect dust somewhere. But in my heart, I’ll always know how God blessed me, and that is so cool.”

South’s other five wrestlers who qualified for the Mat Classic had a rough first day and all five were bounced by the day’s end.

Kustis Fenton and Brady Winslow were the only Wolves to mange Friday wins, while Jesse Barich, Dylan Watkins and Orry Perez lost their first two matches.

“The bottom line is, a year ago, those five kids didn’t have any state experience,” Nass said. “So if you had told me those five kids, a year ago, at this time, were going to make it to the state tournament, I would have been tickled. So in a lot of ways, yes I’m disappointed that none of them were able to place. But at the same time, I don’t want to dwell on that because they came so far in the last year.”

2006 Mat Classic XVIII

Held Feb. 18-18 at Tacoma Dome

Team Results

1, Battleground 110; 2, Auburn 102.5; 3, Lake Stevens 86.5; 4, University 70; 5, Tahoma 60; 6, (tie) Rogers (Puyallup), Everett 57; 8, (tie) South Kitsap, Mariner 55; 10, Enumclaw 54.5.

Championship Matches

103 pounds — Nick Cambron (Central Valley) d. Roberto Cruz (Moses Lake) 10-8 OT. 112 — Josiah Kipperberg (South Kitsap) d. Brian Owen (University) 4-2 OT. 119 — Anthony Hayes (Battleground) d. Chase Smith (Enumclaw) Fall, 4:19. 125 — Michael Mangrum (Auburn - Riverside) d. George Mendez (Pasco) 13-4. 130 — Kelly Kubec (Lake Stevens) d. Taylor Yonago (Ferris) 8-3. 135 — Eric Starks (Battleground) d. Tim Whitley (Wenatchee) 2-1. 140 — Kai Vanleuven (Lake Stevens) d. Lucas Chesher (Central Valley) 4-3. 145 — Trevor Hall (Battleground) d. James Albert (Rogers/Puyallup) Fall 1:40. 160 — Shane Onufer (Auburn) d. Alex Pitsch (Bethel) 5-1. 171 — Kurt Schwartz (Auburn) d. Andrew Buck (Battleground) 4-0. 189 — Brent Chriswell (South Kitsap) d. Mohammed Mustafa (Mariner) 9-7. 215 —Kevin Kooyman (Tahoma) d. Justin Boyce (Everett) 7-5. 275 — Kenny Hudson (Everett) d. Gaston Shelton (Auburn) 3-1 OT.

South Kitsap results

Kurtis Fenton (103 pounds)

First round: lost to Zach Zweifel, Lake Stevens, 9-5.

Consolation bracket: def. Tommy Fraychineaud, Todd Beamer, 8-0; lost to Ali Hadi, Bothell, 9-7 (OT).

Josiah Kipperberg (112)

First round: def. Jack Miller, Graham-Kapowsin, 16-5.

Quarterfinal: def. Matt Sencenbaugh, Auburn, 9-2.

Semifinal: def. Joel Robbins, Eastmont, 9-2.

Final: def. Brian Owen, University, 4-2 (OT)

Jesse Barich (140)

First round: lost to Kai Vanleuvan, Lake Stevens, 5-4.

Consolation: lost to Brandon Wagoner, Inglemoor, 6-4 (OT)

Brady Winslow (145)

First round: def. Frank Geiger, Puyallup, fall 3:01.

Quarterfinal: lost to Jordan Anderson, Kamiakin, 15-2.

Consolation: lost to Corey Brown, Foss, 6-3.

Dylan Watkins (160)

First round: lost to Alex Pitsch, Bethel, 10-2.

Consolation: lost to Breet Malone, Everett, 9-0.

Orry Perez (171)

First round: lost to Brandon Kiehn, Pasco, 9-7 (OT).

Consolation: lost to Jordan Smith, Emerald Ridge, 4-2 (OT).

Brent Chriswell (189)

First round: def. Jordan Krich, Inglemoor, fall :33.

Quarterfinal: def. Jon Wilbourne, Lake Stevens, fall 3:15.

Semifinal: Jake Allen, Stanwood, 9-4.

Final: def. Mohammad Mustafa, Mariner, 9-7.

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