The Front Row with JIM LANDERS, Nov. 18

Like most coaches, Pat Whitcomb was sandbagging when quoted earlier this year about the talent level of this year's wrestling team at North Idaho College.

I went to the first dual and grimaced as I studied the starting lineup sheet. Three true freshman to start the match for NIC, and against a four-year school, no less. This was a recipe for disaster as I began to believe that maybe coach Whitcomb was sincere when he said he was not sure how this team could compete.

WHAT A surprise I got that night.

Mike Rodriquez took the mat first at 133 pounds because of a forfeit at 125 pounds. Mike's opponent was a senior for the University of Great Falls.

Freshmen do not usually do so well against seniors in wrestling but not so this night. As the match progressed Rodriquez's skill level was on display. The senior had no answers for the speed and strength that Mike was combining with his attaching style.

Now Jarrett Morrill from Utah came out to wrestle for NIC at 141 pounds. Another freshman against a senior. Jarrett looked skinny and no match for his muscled opponent. Jarrett is tough as nails. I soon quit worrying about the skinny kid's welfare and began to feel sorry for the senior from Great Falls. He was getting mauled by the skinny kid from Utah. I was surprised again.

WHEN THE official match between NIC and Great Falls had ended Pat Whitcomb had arranged for his 125-pound freshman to wrestle Great Falls' 133-pound senior who had been thoroughly beaten by Rodriquez at the beginning of the match.

Joaquin Calderon was surely in trouble. The bigger senior would be looking for revenge against this freshman. I was wrong again. Calderon commenced to show the crowd how speed and technique can dismantle strength.

These three freshmen at the opening of the NIC lineup looked promising at their first home dual. The match the following night against another four-year program proved this assumption correct.

All three won in convincing fashion. These freshmen are tough and give NIC a great start regardless of whom they are wrestling. They wrestle aggressive and are in good shape. They put on a great show.

Come to the Cardinal Duals this Saturday at NIC. If you haven't seen them you'll be surprised by the talent of these three freshman. I predict they will not lose one home match the rest of the year.

Jim Landers is a retired dentist and a former wrestling coach and official. He can be reached at 819-3579 or at [email protected].