Lewiston, Lakeland, Bonners Ferry win

RATHDRUM — On Saturday, 5A wrestling powers Lewiston and Coeur d’Alene waged a battle for the 5A Region 1 championship at Lakeland High School.

Consider it a prelude to the main event, as the two also figure to be in the mix for 5A titles at the state wrestling tournament Thursday through Saturday at the Idaho Center in Nampa. The Bengals beat the Vikings by 17 points on Saturday, joining 4A Lakeland and 3A Bonners Ferry as team champions as area wrestlers competed for coveted state berths during a busy day of action.

The reigning state champion Vikings qualified 15 wrestlers for state on a day when coach Jeff Moffat felt his team didn’t wrestle nearly its best. Chase Lincoln (103), Hudson Staub (125), John Peregrina (160) and Shawn Duffy (215) claimed titles for the Vikings on Saturday. In arguably the most dramatic match of the night, the Vikings’ Caleb Davis (189) scored a reversal with 15 seconds left to tie Lewiston’s Ryan Rigney at 3-3, before being taken down less than five seconds later, suffering a tough 5-3 loss as time expired.

All 15 of the Vikings boast state tournament experience, and Moffat vowed to spend the next four days making some changes and fine-tuning a few things.

“We’ll need to step it up a notch, need to get better than this weekend,” said Moffat, who feels his squad has as good a shot as anyone to win it all again. “There are three or four teams in the mix and it’s who gets hot at the right time. The key will be being aggressive and not panicking.”

Post Falls finished a distant third, qualifying 11 wrestlers to state. Mitch Crain (112), James Ost (135), Tyler Booth (140), Nathan McLeod (152) and Cole Jesienouski (171) each claimed titles, with Jesienouski beating the Vikings’ Garrett Demers 5-1 in a matchup of top five state-ranked wrestlers.

Trojans coach Pete Reardon was pleased to see his wrestlers prevail in five of the six finals they were in, and believes that kind of quality will help the Trojans vie for a state trophy. Ost, who won state as a 125-pound sophomore last year, returns with one thing on his mind.

“A championship,” said a confident Ost, who feels he just needs to stick with his style. “Score a lot of points and keep my head in it; don’t get nervous.”

Lakeland edged Sandpoint by four points for the team title in 4A Region 1. Hawks coach Rob Edelblute will take 10 wrestlers to state — all underclassmen except for one after the Hawks’ only other senior broke his arm recently — and is excited for his young charges to gain some state experience.

Sandpoint will also take 10 wrestlers down to state, including senior Garret Belgarde, who won a state title as a sophomore before finishing second last year. Bulldogs coach Mike Randles was pleased with the way his team wrestled, with the Bulldogs claiming six titles as the program continues to rebuild.

“A year ago we finished last by 120 points, so this is something to build on,” Randles said. “If we wrestle to our capability (at state), we could put 3-5 kids on the podium.”

Sandpoint’s Josh Allen (160) scored a dramatic overtime win over Lakeland’s Ryan Ransier in a wrestle-back to punch his ticket to state. With hundreds of people encircling the mat for the last match of the night, Allen scored an escape in the second overtime. He was being taken down as time expired, narrowly escaping with the one-point win.

Bonners Ferry dominated the finals in 3A District 1, claiming eight titles en route to a convincing win. More important than the district title, however, is the fact the Badgers will take 16 kids to state, a number Badgers coach Conrad Garner believes will enable his team to make a legitimate run at a state title.

Leading the way will be senior Trevor Hampton (145), who won state last year at 140 pounds and is hoping to end his high school career as a two-time state champ.

“I have confidence in my off-season, what I’ve done,” said Hampton of his prospects for a repeat. “Go in with no regrets. Know that you’re the best and you’re going to wrestle like you’re the best.”

Also hoping to repeat as a state champion for the Badgers is sophomore Blaine Invernon (119), who jumped up two weight classes after winning last year as a 103-pound freshman.

“I’m going down to wrestle with everything I’ve got,” said the confident sophomore, who has been wrestling for 12 years. “Even though there are kids older than me, I have more experience.”

Timberlake qualified 14 wrestlers to state, Priest River 12, St. Maries eight and Kellogg five to round out the 3A ranks.

(Top three to state)

TEAM SCORES — 1, Lewiston, 341.5. 2, Coeur d’Alene, 324. 3, Post Falls, 220. 4, Lake City, 131.

Championship

103 — Chase Lincoln, Cd’A, d. A. J. Konda, Cd’A, 3-2. 112 — Mitch Crain, PF, d. Johnny Kenyon, Lew, 3-0. 119 — Josh Carlton, Lew, p. Brendon Northington, Cd’A, 1:47. 125 — Hudson Staub, Cd’A, d. Drew Randall, Lew, 9-4. 130 — Joe Vallee, Lew, d. Kyle Siegwarth, Cd’A, 5-3. 135 — James Ost, PF, d. Rylan Vandevender, Lew, 9-3. 140 — Tyler Booth, PF, md. Zane Madruga, Lew, 9-1. 145 — Casey George, Lew, tf. Austin Wilson, PF, 16-0. 152 — Nathan McLeod, PF, d. Sammy Metz, Lew, 4-3. 160 — John Peregrina, Cd’A, d. Colin Comack, Cd’A, 5-2. 171 — Cole Jesienouski, PF, d. Garrett Demers, Cd’A, 5-1. 189 — Ryan Rigney, Lew, d. Caleb Davis, Cd’A, 5-3. 215 — Shawn Duffy, Cd’A, d. Thomas Tucker, Cd’A, 7-0. 285 — Jacob Benson, LC, by forfeit over Drew Moreno, Cd’A.

Third-fourth place

103 — Josiah Hoffman, PF, md. Troy Snyder, Lew, 9-1. 112 — Jake Carlton, Lew, p. Steve Price, Cd’A, 1:56. 119 — Graison Le, Cd’A, md. Steven Collins, LC, 16-2. 125 — Colby Marsh, Lew, md. Nick Wells, LC, 12-4. 130 — Adam Hug, Lew, p. Derrick Sheridan, LC, 2:30. 135 — Jarred Lambert, LC, default, E.G. Lunceford, Cd’A. 140 — Kenny Staub, Cd’A, d. Nate Partenfelder, LC, 11-6. 145 — Jake Graham, Cd’A, d. Jake Lohman, Lew, 7-3. 152 — Casey Yates, Lew, d. Auston May, PF, 3-0. 160 — Travis Huffman, Lew, d. Kendall Nuss, PF, 6-2 (OT). 171 — Trenton Hunter, Lew, d. Brian Griswold, LC, 9-5. 189 — Cody Johnson, PF, d. Calen Lambert, LC, 4-3 (OT). 215 — Adrian Sherman, LC, md. D.J. Maurer, Lew, 15-4. 285 — Shane Tatom, PF, p. Willie Broyles, Lew, :24.

(Top two to state)

TEAM SCORES — 1, Lakeland 230. 2, Sandpoint, 226. 3, Moscow, 184.5.

Championship

103 — Tyson Hendricks, LL, p. Austin Hoobler, LL, 2:57. 112 — Peyton Dillon, Spt, p. Tanner Wright, LL, :43. 119 — Garret Belgarde, Spt, p. Dustin Hannawalt, LL, 1:35. 125 — Chad Miller, LL, d. Dakota Blaese, Spt, 4-2. 130 — Brandon Young, LL, p. Brady Braun, Mos, 1:20. 135 — Jesse Putman, LL, md. Troy Goodman, Spt, 10-1. 140 — Kyle Csizmar, Spt, p. Gabe Davis, Mos, 3:47. 145 — Brad Bruce, Mos, p. David Nelson, LL, 1:54. 152 — Chase Campbell, LL, p. Karter Krasselt, Mos, 1:13. 160 — Joey Reintjes, Mos, p. Josh Allen, Spt, 4:15. 171 — Josh Wren, Spt, p. Keegan Williams, Mos, 2:18. 189 — Justin Pepperdine, Spt, p. Buzz Hylton, LL, 1:39. 215 — Matt Lockey, Spt, by forfeit, Ivan Mucyo-Njabo, Mos. 285 — Jayden Vassell, Mos, p. Zack Carscallen, Mos, 1:24.

(Top four to state)

TEAM SCORES — Bonners Ferry, 340. 2, Priest River, 244.5. 3, Timberlake, 224.5. 4, St. Maries, 151.5. 5, Kellogg, 112.5.

Championship

103 — Josh Tucker, BF, p. Rocco Wingfield, TL, 2:30. 112 — John Brown, BF, p. Colton Derry, StM, :47. 119 — Blaine Invernon, BF, d. Kody Hongslo, TL, 12-5. 125 — Cole Jerome, Kel, p. David Chapman-Jones, BF, 5:52. 130 — James Hegge, PR, by forfeit Dustin Koehler, BF. 135 — Parker Davis, BF, p. Tristan Roth, TL, :37. 140 — Benny Watt, BF, md. Thomas Kissinger, PR, 12-3. 145 — Trevor Hampton, BF, md. Chris Pooley, PR, 11-3. 152 — Brandon Schmitz, BF, d. Kyle White, TL, 6-0. 160 — Cody Rabidue, PR, tf. Brian Fink, PR, 19-3. 171 — Zach Heigel, BF, d. Tanner Rogers, PR, 4-3. 189 — Jesse Johnson, StM, d. Jarrod Gloe, PR, 6-2. 215 — David Willems, BF, p. Pierce Otto, Kel, 1:03. 285 — Tony Appel, StM, P. Allan Foote, TL, :33.

Third-fourth place

103 — Scott Larson, TL, d. Diamond Robinson, PR, 22-15. 112 — Cam Raynor, TL, p. Luke Soumas, PR, 3:28. 119 — Tristin O’Brien, Kel, tf. Aaron Kolar, StM, 19-3. 125 — Drew Hill, TL, d. Tyler Popkin, PR, 8-2. 130 — Reid Boorman, BF, d. Cody Stewart, Kel, 9-5. 135 — Chris Vergobbi, Kel, tf. Kole Akre, PR, 29-14. 140 — Trevor Roth, TL, md. Joe Bloomsburg, StM, 15-3. 145 — Walker Herring, TL, p. Cody Yearout, PR, :49. 152 — Ashton Stephenson, StM, p. Forrest Herring, TL, 3:42. 160 — Justin Anast, TL, by forfiet, Derek Charles, StM. 171 — Christian Heth, TL, p. Devin Schalk, BF, 2:15. 189 — Carmen Krichbaum, BF, p. Jake Baures, TL, :37. 215 — Jon Gaspar, BF, by forfeit. 285 — Manuel Perez, PR, p. William Gaspar, BF, 3:26.

2A District 1-2 tournament

Miners edge Grangeville

for crown

HARRISON FLATS — Luke Hahn (145) and Jake Waters (152) of Wallace captured titles by pins and Ty Beare (285) of Kootenai won by default in the championship round of the 2A District 1-2 tournament at Kootenai High.

The Miners placed 10 wrestlers in the top four, all of which qualify for the state tournament later this week.

Other Wallace placers were Tyler Curl, fourth at 103, Mike Carey, second at 112, Colton Majszak, third at 119, Kaleb Martin, fourth at 125, Kidman Cook, second at 135, Nathan Cook, second at 171, Curtis Dolson, third at 215, and John Evans, fourth at 215, and David Northrup, third at 285.

Kootenai wrestlers moving on to state are Beare, Chris Unger, third at 135, Mathew Speelman, fourth at 171 and Joe Anderson, second at 189.

TEAM SCORES — 1, Wallace, 133. 2, Grangeville 132. 3, Prairie 124. 4, Kamiah 86. 5, Potlatch 77. 6, Orofino 75. 7, Kootenai 58. 8, Clearwater Valley 33.

Championship matches

103 — Ross Tyler, Pra, p. Heath Miller, Pot, 5:55. 112 — Alex Duman, Pra, p. Mike Carey, Wal, 1:17. 119 — Tayler Heitman, Pra, p. Anthony Lott, Kam, :46. 125 — Todd Marshall, Pot, d. Spencer Connolley, Gra, 3-0. 130 — Kade Perrin, Pra, d. Kyle Ringen, Kam, 4-1. 135 — Damlan McWilliams, Pra, d. Kidman Cook, Wal, 10-8. 140 — Kyle Brown, Pot, p. Nick Smith, Gra, 5:35. 145 — Luke Hahn, Wal, p. Nick Miller, Oro, 1:59. 152 — Jake Waters, Wal, p. Aaron Elliot, Oro, 2:59. 160 — Ebben Lane, Kam, d. Jesse Keeler, Gra, by default. 171 — Justin Robie, Gra, d. Nathan Cook, Wal, 3-0. 189 — Jared Robie, Gra, p. Joe Anderson, Koot, 1:25. 215 — Derek Eldridge, Gra, d. Levi Miller, CWV, by default. 285 — Ty Beare, Koot, d. Mitch Jungert, Pra, by default.

Third-fourth place matches

103 — Marcus Towerton, Gra, p. Tyler Curl, Wal, 2:55. 112 — Reggear Walker, Oro, by default. 119 — Colton Majszak, Wal, by default. 125 — Andrew Carl, Kam, p. Kaleb Martin, Wal, 1:29. 130 — Ryan Simler, Kam, p. Tanner Schwartz, Oro, 2:03. 135 — Chris Unger, Koot, p. James Amos, Pot, 4:24. 140 — Rafe Williams, CWV, d. Dylan Johnson, Oro, 8-1. 145 — Justin Lloyd, Kam, p. Casey Grant, Pot, 2:03. 152 — Tyler Zumwalt, Gra, p. Jonathon Waggoner, Kam, 2:03. 160 — Silas Connelley, Gra., md. Lawrence Dana, Oro, 11-2. 171 — Garrett Schmidt, Pra, d. Mathew Speelman, Koot, 3-2. 189 — Gabe Paul, Gra, p. Brett Kuhn, CWV, 2:54. 215 — Curtis Dolson, Wal, p. John Evans, Wal, 1:27. 285 — David Northrup, Wal, p. Trevor Hopkins, Oro, :38.