TACOMA — Multiple gouges marked his face.
But South Kitsap’s Deion Anderson was not complaining.
After claiming a 113-pound weight class championship during Friday and Saturday’s Pacific Coast Championships in Vancouver, the junior followed that with a 12-4 win Tuesday night against Bellarmine Prep’s Nathan Raas to help the Wolves to a 52-16 victory in a Class 4A Narrows League match.
From a physical standpoint, Anderson said the quick turnaround was difficult. But not just because he wrestled several matches during in the days leading up to Tuesday.
“I’m actually kind of struggling to make 113,” Anderson said. “I had to run for 30 minutes and I really felt it on my body. My thighs and hips.”
South coach Chad Nass believes Anderson’s transformation began during the Dec. 19-20 Hammerhead Tournament, where the Wolves placed fourth among 42 teams. Anderson won the 113 championship during that tournament with a 3-2 victory against Ridgefield’s Trevor Newburn.
“Ever since then he’s been kind of a different kid,” he said.
But Anderson said Pacific Coast marked a turning point for him. Anderson, who earned a 7-4 decision against Decatur’s Moses Griffen, was the school’s lone first-place finisher.
“That’s a prestigious tournament and to win it is pretty exciting,” Anderson said. “It really helped me boost my confidence. I was wrestling a lot of different styles and got a lot of good experience.
“I started to realize that I’m a lot quicker and stronger than everyone.”
South placed eighth among 35 teams at Pacific Coast.
“We feel pretty good,” Nass said. “We were really pleased with the results of Pac Coast and were happy to get out of a two-day tournament without any injuries.”
Because of the short turnaround, Nass used some junior-varsity wrestlers against the Lions.
“We were just giving kids some experience,” he said. “They work hard all year, so we’re trying to give them an opportunity to go out there and show what they can do. Build some depth.”
In addition to Anderson, Nass praised freshman varsity mainstay Sebastian Robles. The 120-pounder trailed for most of the match before he earned points for an escape and a takedown to force overtime. He then pinned Jed Klein, who placed fifth at 106 last year at state, in 6 minutes, 29 seconds.
“He got him in overtime on his back to pin him,” Nass said. “He’s a tough little kid for a freshman.”
South Kitsap 52, at Bellarmine Prep 16106-Leroy Portillo (SK) wins by forfeit. 113-Deion Anderson (SK) d. Nathan Raas 12-4. 120-Sebastian Robles (SK) p. Jed Klein 6:29. 126-Angelo Trujillo (SK) p. Daniel Ladenburg 2:51. 132-Josiah Mayo (BP) d. Nathan Porter 12-4. 138-Corey Carter (SK) d. Nick Rose 12-3. 145-Lucas Pervinich (SK) d. Aidan Clubb 11-3. 152-Jaxon Moffett (SK) p. Joey Heston 1:40. 160-Cole Craner (SK) p. Carson Grisaffi 5:13. 170-Chad Mathes (SK) d. Joe Stilnovich 5:47. 182-Brennan Moore (BP) d. Izaiah Davis 6-4. 195-Stephen Kanekkeberg (SK) d. David Bair 11-2. 220-Elliott Villars (BP) p. Ridge Morales 1:53. 285-Marshaud DeWalt (SK) won by forfeit.
