The Front Row with JIM LANDERS Jan. 21, 2011

North Idaho continues to be a hotbed of wrestling.

Kyle McCrite is just another example of the North Idaho extended family, producing national-caliber wrestlers and coaches.

In the Inland Empire, the family tree of wrestling champions and coaches runs deep and wide.

McCRITE IS currently ranked No. 1 at 125 pounds by the NJCAA. He is one of many state champions from Lakeland High School's wrestling program. Kyle is in his second year competing for coach Pat Whitcomb at North Idaho College.

Kyle's high school coach was Rob Edelblute, who is in his 12th year of coaching at Lakeland. Edelblute, as well as his brother Pat Edelblute, also wrestled for NIC under coach John Owen. Owen was Whitcomb's coach at NIC.

The family tree continues with McCrite's father, John McCrite, also wrestling at Lakeland under the great coaching of Jim Whiteman, who also assisted Whitcomb at NIC. This wrestling family has many more additional members too numerous to mention.

THE GOOD thing is, we have the opportunity to see Kyle try to fulfill his goal of being a national champion.

Tonight at 7:30, NIC wrestles Simon Fraser University in its last home match (to be webcast at www.niwebsports.com).

Kyle has an opponent who is a good leg rider, and he considers escaping from a leg rider his biggest weakness. His plan is to use his mental toughness to escape. Kyle considers wrestling to be 90 percent mental and simply states, "he will not hold me down."

The mental part of the No. 1 ranking is a burden to him. He does not like the pressure of everyone expecting him to win because he is No. 1.

On Feb. 25 and 26 at the national tournament in Spokane, he will determine how well he handles the pressure.

Come and see how he does. You will be sitting in the stands with the North Idaho family.

Jim Landers is a retired dentist and a former wrestling coach and official. He can be reached via phone at 819-3579 or via e-mail at skibums6@aol.com.