Coeur d'Alene, Lakeland, Priest River tune up for state with district/region titles

RATHDRUM - Arguably the two best 5A teams in the entire state took to the mat Saturday at the state-qualifying tournament at Lakeland High, with Coeur d'Alene boasting eight individual champions to edge out Post Falls and lay claim to the 5A Region 1 title.

Next weekend, the very same two teams could be vying for much more coveted hardware at the state meet, as both teams feel they have the horsepower to bring home a state team championship.

The No. 1 Vikings will send 17 wrestlers to the state meet Feb. 26-27 at Holt Arena in Pocatello. They feature both quality and quantity, enough so that head coach Jeff Moffat believes his squad has a legitimate shot to claim the school's first ever wrestling state title.

"That's what we're going down for, to try and win. Everyone has to score points when you get there," Moffat said. "I'm proud of the guys. I can't think of a kid that didn't wrestle his tail off."

The Vikings' Sam Howard scored a 1-0 win over Post Falls' James Ost at 125 pounds in the first of three marquee matches that could very well end up being state finals. Kenny Staub then scored a 6-3 win over Derrick Booth in a match of the No. 2- and 3-ranked 130 pounders in the state, respectively, to score the Vikings another close win over the Trojans.

Perhaps the match of the night was at 135 pounds, where Lewiston's Casey George managed one escape en route to a 1-0 win over two-time state champion Braden Mowry. It was Mowry's third straight loss to George, and should the two top-ranked 135 pound wrestlers and reigning state champs meet again, Mowry believes he can finally push through.

"If I follow my game plan, I can beat him," said Mowry of George. "I feel like I'm better on my feet and this match gave me confidence."

Reigning state champion Chad Booth scored a 4-1 win over Lewiston's Josh Carlton to lead the Trojans, who qualified 14 wrestlers to state. Peter Berger (103), Nathan McLeod (140) and Joe Hartley also won, as Post Falls put eight wrestlers into the finals.

Post Falls coach Pete Reardon said Chad and Derrick Booth, Mitch Crain, Ost and McLeod all have a good shot to make it into the finals. If they do, the Trojans could vie for a title as well.

"We've got a great chance for a trophy," Reardon said. "If they wrestle to their ability, we'll be in the hunt."

Marcus Banducci was Lake City's lone champion after receiving a forfeit at 119 pounds, and is one of four Timberwolves to secure a berth at state.

Led by Nate Wright, the No. 1-ranked 103 pound wrestler in the state, and No. 2-ranked Brandon Richardson (152), Lakeland claimed six champions and comfortably edged Moscow for the 4A title. Head coach Rob Edelblute will take 12 wrestlers down to state, including Wright, who is wrestling with a torn ACL but could still be a No. 1 seed.

"I'm proud of the freshman and sophomores for stepping up," said Edelblute, who wouldn't rule out the possibility of his young team contending for a trophy. "Everything is a possibility; it just comes down to who shows up to wrestle."

Sandpoint will take five wrestlers to state, three of which figure to contend for a title. Defending champion Garret Belgarde (112) and Leonard Fister (160) each claimed titles, and Peyton Dillon fell 6-2 to Wright in what could be a preview of the 103-pound final.

"Leonard, Peyton and Garret could all do damage at state," Sandpoint coach Mike Randles said. "The district is tougher now. Not as many stars, but the overall quality is better."

Priest River won the 3A title for the fourth consecutive year, topping Bonners Ferry by just 15 points in the most closely contested of the classifications. It was strength in numbers for the Spartans, who despite not claiming one individual title, will take 12 wrestlers to state.

After a fourth-place finish at state last season, Spartan coach Brandon Keinert thinks his team can place again, led by James Hegge (140) and Cody Rabidue (152), each of whom is a threat to make the finals.

"We'll need to step it up a notch, need that extra effort to bring home hardware," Keinert said.

Trevor Hampton (140), who finished second at state last year, led five Badgers to titles as Bonners Ferry will take 10 wrestlers to state.

Cole Jerome (112), Chris Vergobbi (119) and Cory Squires (125) all claimed titles for Kellogg, which will take eight wrestlers down.

Timberlake's Dylan White, the No. 1-ranked heavyweight in the state, teamed with John Morris (160) to win titles, as the Tigers will take 10 wrestlers to state.

(Top three to state)

TEAM SCORES - 1, Coeur d'Alene, 318.5. 2, Post Falls, 269.5. 3, Lewiston, 196.5. 4, Lake City, 79.

Championship

103 - Peter Berger, PF, d. A.J. Konda, Cd'A, 4-0. 112 - Chad Booth, PF, d. Josh Carlton, Lew, 4-1. 119 - Marcus Banducci, LC, by injury default over Kyle Siegwarth, Cd'A. 125 - Sam Howard, Cd'A, d. James Ost, PF, 1-0. 130 - Kenny Staub, Cd'A, d. Derrick Booth, PF, 6-3. 135 - Casey George, Lew, d. Braden Mowry, Cd'A, 1-0. 140 - Nathan McLeod, PF, d. Jake Schmidt, Lew, 6-4 (OT). 145 - Christian Putman, Cd'A, d. Colton Peugh, PF, 13-4. 152 - Colin Comack, Cd'A, d. Cole Jesienouski, PF, 7-1. 160 - Johnny Peregrina, Cd'A, by injury default over Jake Norris, Cd'A. 171 - Kevin Moore, Cd'A, p. Brian Griswold, LC, 1:01. 189 - Caleb Davis, Cd'A, d. Ryan Rigney, Lew, 5-1. 215 - Thomas Tucker, Cd'A, p. Chris Schenk, LC, :45. 285 - Joe Hartley, PF, p. Jacob Benson, LC, :52.

Third place

103 - Steve Price, Cd'A, d. Cody Nelson, Lew, 7-2. 112 - Mitch Crain, PF, d. Graison Le, Cd'A, 11-4. 119 - Chadd Webster, PF, md. Tanner Riekena, PF, 14-3. 125 - Tyler Mahal, PF, md. Jake Carlton, Lew, 10-2. 130 - Zane Madruga, Lew, md. Rylan Vandevender, Lew, 11-3. 135 - Tyler Booth, PF, p. Nick Dyk, PF, :35. 140 - Jake Graham, Cd'A, p. Nick Flodin, PF, :41. 145 - Austin Wilson, PF, md. Casey Yates, Lew, 14-0. 152 - Garrett DeMers, Cd'A, d. Devin Schaff, Lew, 11-7. 160 - Travis Huffman, Lew, d. Josh Erickson, PF, 2-1. 171 - Zach Carter, PF, p. Kyle Hays, Lew, 1:49. 189 - Matt Howard, Cd'A, p. Cody Siegal, PF, 1:24. 215 - Alex Kastens, Cd'A, p. Casetyn Lybbert, Lew, :28. 285 - D.J. Maurer, Lew, p. Shane Tatum, PF, 1:17.

(Top two to state)

TEAM SCORES - 1, Lakeland, 279. 2, Moscow, 230. 3, Sandpoint, 150.

Championship

103 - Nate Wright, LL, d. Peyton Dylan, Spt, 6-2. 112 - Garret Belgarde, Spt, md. Dustin Hannawalt, LL, 14-4. 119 - Michael Garritone, LL, p. Dakota Blaese, Spt, 3:19. 125 - Jesse Putman, LL, p. Troy Goodman, Spt, 3:47. 130 - Gabe Davis, Mos, md. Josh Yount, LL, 10-0. 135 - Hayden Garfield, Mos, d. David Nelson, LL, 8-6. 140 - Brad Bruce, Mos, tf. Chase Campbell, LL, 15-0. 152 - Brandon Richardson, LL, md. Erik McCall, Mos, 17-4. 160 - Leonard Fister, Spt, d. Justin Parkins, Mos, 10-0. 171 - Friend Bechtel, Mos, d. Alex Schneider, 6-3. 189 - Jared Paul, Mos, p. Pat Charland, Spt, 5:53. 215 - Tyler Miller, LL, p. Keegan Williams, Mos, 1:33. 285 - Josh Kaplan, LL, p. Zac Carscallen, Mos, 2:31.

*189 wrestle back - Steven Johns, LL, p. Pat Charland, Spt.

(Top four to state)

TEAM SCORES - 1, Priest River, 225. 2, Bonners Ferry, 210.5. 3, Timberlake, 162.5. 4, Orofino, 160. 5, Kellogg, 152. 6, St. Maries, 120.

Championship

103 - Blake Invernon, BF, p. Josh Tucker, BF, 2:35. 112 - Cole Jerome, Kel, d. Kody Hongslo, TL, 4-2. 119 - Chris Vergobbi, Kel, p. Thor Hoefer, PR, 1:53. 125 - Cory Squires, Kel, p. Dustin Koehler, BF, 3:58. 130 - Preston Walker, Oro, d. James Hegge, PR, 14-9. 135 - Ben Watt, BF, d. John Primer, St. M, 2-0. 140 - Trevor Hampton, BF, md. Michael Skinner, Oro, 13-3. 145 - Isaiah Grey, BF, d. Zack Pickering, Kel, 8-7. 152 - Bo Brooks, Oro, d. Cody Rabidue, PR, 6-4. 160 - John Morris, TL, d. Troy Sines, St. M, 5-4. 171 - Ricky Avalos, St. M, p. David Upton, Oro, 3:43. 189 - Jesse Faler, Oro, md. Mike Riley, PR, 18-5. 215 - David Willems, BF, p. Geoff Boncz, PR, 1:58. 285 - Dylan White, TL, p Ricky Clark, Kel, 1:33.

Third place

103 - Rocco Wingfield, TL, advanced through bye. 112 - Joey Day, PR, d. Tyson Boorman, BF, 14-11. 119 - Jeremy Gilder, PR, d. Drew Hill, TL, 2-0. 125 - Ryan Hill, TL, d. Tyler Barber, PR, 10-9. 130 - Davin Hojem, Kel, md. Joe Bloomburg, St. M, 19-7. 135 - Colton Fulwiler, TL, p. Garrett Hojem, Kel, 2:27. 140 - Chris Pooley, PR, p. Walker Herring, TL, 1:28. 145 - Trevor Roth, TL, p. Ashton Stephenson, St. M, 4:58. 152 - Kyle White, TL, d. Derek Charles, St. M, 9-5. 160 - Johnathan Butler, PR, p. Todd Kobielusz, Oro, 1:39. 171 - Tanner Rogers, PR, p. Zach Heigel, BF, 4:27. 189 - Justin Spease, BF, p. Brandon Wolfe, Oro, 1:13. 215 - Jacob Harris, Kel, won by injury default over R.J. Linehan, Oro. 285 - Dylan Reinbold, PR, by forfeit over Farth Schilling, Oro.