Dynamic dual

On a squad comprised mostly of freshmen and sophomores, the Sutter High wrestling team's elder statesman had the most pressure on him Tuesday night.

Senior 215-pounder Alex Ryan sat back for 11 matches and watched the situation unfold.

When it was time for him to take the mat at Honker Gym against Yuba City's Westley McMahon, his Huskies were clinging to a 32-28 lead. His bout would decide if Sutter started its season 1-0.

He didn't have any nerves, butterflies, or anxiety; he was just angry the score was that close.

In about 30 seconds, Ryan pinned McMahon and Sutter would eventually open their 2011-12 campaign with a 44-28 win over the Honkers.

Junior heavyweight Reid Melani emphatically sealed the Sutter victory by pinning Christian Diaz in the third round of their match to earn the Huskies six more points.

"From our team, I was expecting a little bit more, but we pulled through," Ryan said. "Most guys will tell you, if I'm not in the right mindset, it isn't pretty.

"I got on the mat and I wanted to make them pay for getting all those points on us."

After forfeiting the 106-pound weight class, Yuba City came out hot with straight victories from Isaac Bishop (113) and Brandon Pierce (120), who both won by pin fall. Bishop was down 15-4 before pulling off the upset.

That was the only lead Yuba City would have.

Sutter rattled off five straight wins from freshman Chase Miles (126), sophomore Hunter Minton (132), senior Ibrahim Mohsen (138), sophomore Alex Ingram (145) and senior Alex Farmer (152)

Miles dominated in his victory and led 13-1 at one point before recording a victory by pin. Minton and Mohsen also won by pin.

Farmer edged Juan Gomez in a 6-4 decision and Ingram topped Gavin Benbow in an 18-3 major decision victory.

Sutter coach Ryan Reynolds said he was expecting to see some rust in Tuesday's opener.

With several of his athletes coming off football, he said it will take about a month for his team to be fully in shape for the season.

"They showed a lot of resolve and a lot of heart, but it wasn't pretty," Reynolds said. "You can tell we're a team that hasn't been on the mat too long.

"We've got a long way to go and a lot of hard work to do to get where we want to be."

Sutter led 32-15 before Yuba City answered back with four straight wins.

Honkers Shannon Casaulong (160) and John Simeroth (195) both won by decision. Diego Herrejon added a 9-1 major decision victory and 170-pounder Julian Saavedra won by pin.

Yuba City coach Erik Lambert couldn't fault the effort of his squad.

Take in to account that the Honkers lost to the Huskies 65-3 just two seasons ago and Tuesday's night loss was a monumental step forward.

"I'm happy to be able to compete at that level and have a chance to win," Lambert said. "I think the kids believe in themselves and all I ask for them is to work hard.

"Win or lose, let them know they wrestled Yuba City, and I think they did that tonight."