Rockets’ Petersen hopes to build on last season

Oak Harbor senior Rhett Petersen has lost a match to place at the state tournament each of the last two years.

Petersen earned an SBC championship last season.

“The year before he lost in the finals and he had another tough match,” Rockets coach George Bergman said of the conference tournament. “He prevailed in the last 15 seconds.

“That was gratifying to see — our league is formidable. Now, we just have to take that last step and finish it at the state tournament.”

Seniors Brandon Garber and Trent Johansen, juniors Bruce Hrynciw, Dylan Mansor, Trevor Scherf, Jake Huston, Jaret Parker, Peyton Salyers, Kian Thompson, and sophomore Adam Ohms, Garrett Mapes and Zach Laughlin earned letters last season.

“We lost a nice senior class, including five four-year lettermen,” Bergman said of Stephen Simkus, Nick Bergman, Ben Petersen, Brody Hennig and Jeremy Balboa. “We have two returning starters and eight juniors to help stabilize the lineup. Another year, another challenge.”

Petersen was SBC champ last season.

“He’s mentally tough,” Bergman said. “He’s in good shape. He loves to compete. He was second on the team in tackles at safety. He’s a good leader. You love that as a coach. He thinks about helping the other guys.

“He’s smart — he’ll work on weaknesses. Rhett wants to end his career on the podium. He’s got a great opportunity and work ethic.”

Garber qualified to state last year and fell to the eventual champ in overtime.

“He’s a very good athlete as a big guy,” Bergman said. “He has good feet and he’s strong. He turned the corner last year when he was second in the SBC at heavyweight. He was sectional champ at 220 and had some good wins at districts.

“That helped his confidence and he was comfortable from there. We want to get Brandon on that podium.”

Hrynciw has two league titles his first two years.

“He’s working hard and he can take it to the next level, get to state and do damage,” Bergman said.

Huston lost three wrestle-offs to Bergman 1-0 for a lineup spot last season.

“Our junior class is working hard,” Bergman said. “Scherf was a district qualifier. Kian was in a match to go to state and finished sixth. He’s right there. Districts fuels you and the experience is beneficial when you get back.”

mhorn@gannett.com

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Twitter:@MatthewHornNH