Wrestling: Decatur pins down Federal Way, 66-22, in SPSL Central opener

The referee’s right arm got plenty of work during Friday night’s wresting match between the Decatur Gators and Federal Way Eagles. In total, 10 of the 11 matches wrestled inside the gym at Decatur High School ended in pins.

And it was the Gators who picked up eight of those pins on their way to a 66-22 win over the Eagles. It was both teams’ South Puget Sound League Central Division season opener. The newly-created Central Division includes all four Federal Way School District teams, along with Auburn Riverside and Curtis.

The Gators got pins from Rad Krysa at 112 pounds (3:04), Marc Deeds at 125 (1:13), Tyler Thomas at 130 (1:00), Jerry Doran at 135 (:45), Eric Godfrey at 145 (:39), Dylan Aparis at 160 (1:30), Jordan Flowers at 189 (:59) and Matt Turner at 215 (:26). Decatur also got forfeit wins Justin Hartinger (119) and Lance Gibson (140).

Federal Way got pins from Levy Molina at 152 pounds in 5:33 and from Godfrey Meafou at 285 in 1:09. The Eagles’ 103-pounder, Anthony Pena, won the lone match of the night that went the distance. Pena beat Drew Dasher, 16-9, in a decision. Federal Way also got a forfeit win from Chris Brown.

In other wrestling action:

• Todd Beamer High School’s Aron Set-Heit finished second at the prestigious Battle at the Border Tournament, which was held Saturday at Blaine High School.

Set-Heit lost to Blaine’s Jamal Mallak in the 130-pound championship bout by a narrow 3-2 decision. The Battle at the Border included 18 of the best wrestling programs in the state. The Titans finished sixth as a team with 144.5 points. Blaine won the tournament title with 229 points, Everett was second (215.5) and Kentood finished third (209.5).

Other Beamer placers at the tournament were Tre Uson (third, 112 pounds), Deshar House (fourth, 125), Tom Bowman (sixth, 145), Ben Draeger (third, 160) and Kristoff Ricketts (sixth, 171).