It seems the Bonney Lake wrestling squad is living a charmed existence.

Even though the Panthers sat out several of their ace grapplers to nurse a few injuries when they traveled to Auburn Mountainview Thursday, Bonney Lake still prevailed, pummeling the Lions 54-24.

The victory elevated the Panthers’ South Puget Sound League 3A mark to 3-1, having lost only to league-leading Enumclaw in the initial dual match of the season.

A win over visiting Lakes tonight, Wednesday, would allow the Panthers to finish second in the six-team SPSL 3A with a 4-1 record heading into next weekend’s subdistrict tournament.

Panther coach Anthony Clarke admitted he was a bit nervous going into the Auburn Mountainview encounter since he was resting quite a few of his starters and was forfeiting two bouts.

Conversely, Auburn Mountainview had to forfeit at 103, 112 and 119, which immediately put them in an 18-point hole.

Reigning 103 pound state 3A champion Andrew Cunningham, who has been wrestling at 119 pounds for the Panthers, moved up a weight. He handily defeated his Lion opponent via a first round pin in the 125-pound battle.

While Panther stars Jake Leuders, Matt Yuste, Justin Rush and team captain D.J. Williams were all licking their wounds mat side, 171-pound senior Evan Dorsey wrestled what Clarke called his best match of the year.

“Everyone’s individual goal was to be healthy and wrestling consistently by February. Evan wrestled a great and extremely clean match against his guy. He wrestled well, without making many mistakes and looks as if he is ready to make his move up the ladder in the upcoming post-season events,” Clarke said.