By John Leggett | The Courier-Herald

It was a busload full of sick Bonney High wrestlers that headed south to the Pacific Coast Wrestling Championships Friday and Saturday, but even so, seniors Nick Bendon at 140 pounds and heavyweight Jared Dorsey managed to place fifth and sixth, respectively.

With 32 teams and more than 500 wrestlers competing, Bonney Lake finished 26th in team scoring with 53 points. The tourney champion, nearby Graham Kapowsin, wrapped up the title with 176 points.

“One of our wrestlers didn’t make weight and a few of the guys didn’t place that I thought would, but over half the team was real sick four days prior to the tournament,” coach Anthony Clarke lamented.

“It was kind of amazing that Bendon claimed fifth place with the whopper of a cold he had all week, but he won five out of his seven matches,” Clarke said. Bendon made it to the semifinals before losing his first match.

“The Pac Coast always features most of the best teams in the state, with the best wrestlers too,” Clarke said. “There weren’t any cupcakes in the bunch that’s for sure.”

As evidence, he pointed to Andrew Cunningham, the Panthers’ 112-pounder. “In his defense, the first two guys he faced were studs, so he was quickly eliminated from placement.”

Bonney Lake will put its undefeated 3-0 South Puget Sound League 3A mark on the line when it hosts Peninsula High at 7 tonight, Wednesday.

Thursday, the Panthers will travel to White River.