The Mount Si wrestling team opened their regular season Thursday, Dec. 3, looking to pick up from where they left off last year. They did just that, in convincing fashion.

The Wildcats shut out the Juanita Rebels, 52-0, in the first part of a “double dual” which was held at Mercer Island High School; Mount Si lost the nightcap to the Islanders, 53-22.

“We had a solid season opener tonight,” Wildcat coach Tony Schlotfeldt told the Valley Record.

All of the Mount Si wrestlers won in easy fashion, with all but four of the matches ending early due to pins. Zach Storm (189 lbs.), John Farmer (215), Cody (125) and Trey Botten (140) all won by pinning their Rebel opponents in the first round, while Lee Amador (160, second round), Ben Larson (135, second) Andrew Sypher (119, second) and Shane Dixon (171, third) also recorded pins of their opponents for Wildcat wins. Josh Mitchell (285) took a victory by forfeit.

Sypher, Larson, Trey Botten and Mitchell also won their second matches of the evening against the Islanders, but Dixon, Cody Botten, Storm and Farmer all were pinned by their Mercer Island opponents, helping the Islander efforts.

Last Saturday, Mount Si traveled to Auburn to compete in the Auburn Invite. The Wildcats finished seventh out of eight teams competing with 63 points. South Kitsap won the overall team title. The Wildcat efforts were highlighted by a third place finish by Storm in the 189 division, while Sypher (119), Dixon (171) and Trey Botten (140) all finished fourth in their respective classes.

Mount Si is in action tomorrow at a tournament being hosted by Auburn High School. The Wildcats open their home schedule next Thursday night with a match against the Interlake Saints. First match is set for 6 p.m.