Post Falls second to Lewiston
<p>Reigning state champion Cole Jesienouski, top, scored a close 6-5 decision over Lewiston's Travis Huffman in the 170 pound final, but the Trojans were edged by the Bengals in the 5A ranks.</p>
<p>Sandpoint's Troy Goodman, top, and Lakeland's Will Putnam battle in the 132 pound final. Goodman won the match, but the Hawks claimed the 4A team title.</p>
<p>Kellogg's Cole Jerome drives Bonners Ferry's Parker Davis to the mat to help lead the Wildcats to the 3A championship.</p>
RATHDRUM - The top two ranked 5A teams in Idaho were on display, a 3A program ended a long drought with a district championship and a host of state tournament tickets were punched during action Saturday at the 5A Region 1, 4A Region 1 and 3A District 1 wrestling championships at Lakeland High School.
In the 5A ranks, Post Falls, the top-ranked team according to Idahowrestlingnews.com, won six championships, one more than second-ranked Lewiston. The Bengals had a little more depth, however, and edged the Trojans by 25 points for the team title.
Trojans coach Pete Reardon was pleased with his team's 17 berths to state, and hopes to add three more at-large bids today. The Trojans, Bengals and Centennial Patriots figure to wage a three-team battle next weekend for the state title, and Reardon believes he's got the horses to bring home a championship.
"Absolutely," he answered, feeling like his team is ready to peak at the right time. "It's whoever is hot on the last weekend."
Reigning state champion Cole Jesienouski scored a hard-fought 6-5 decision over Lewiston's Travis Huffman in what could be a preview of the state final, joining Trojan teammates Lucas Bolster (98), Mitch Crain (120), James Ost (145), Austin Wilson (160) and Nathan McLeod (182) with championships.
Ost will be gunning to join an elite club of 19 three-time state 5A champions next weekend, admitting it would mean a lot to go out on top again as a senior.
"I'll need to wrestle on my feet, wrestle smart, stay confident and keep my head," said Ost, who feels the Trojans can win a team title as well. "I think we have a really good chance."
Two-time defending state champion Coeur d'Alene qualified eight wrestlers, with hopes of landing three more berths. Leading the way will be Garrett DeMers, the No. 1-ranked wrestler in the state at 195 pounds. Vikings coach Jeff Moffat thinks Demers is wrestling well enough to claim a title.
"He's wrestled great all year," said Moffat, stressing the need to stay focused and not look past anyone. "Anything short of a title would be a disappointment."
In 4A, Lakeland claimed eight individual champions and tallied 17 berths to state, a number that exceeded what head coach Rob Edelblute had expected. The Hawks ran away with the team title, finishing more than 100 points ahead of second-place Sandpoint. Whether the good numbers translate to points at state remains to be seen.
"We have the numbers, now it's up to these guys to wrestle," Edelblute said. "They've put in the time, they just need to wrestle and hopefully bring back the medal."
Sandpoint secured eight berths to state, as Peyton Dillon (120), Troy Goodman (132), Adam Weindl (170), Justin Pepperdine (182), Josh Travers (195) and Matt Lockey (220) each claimed titles for the Bulldogs. Dillon is hoping to land a spot on the state podium as a senior.
"I feel prepared and as ready as I'm going to get," he said. "I'm hoping the hard work pays off."
In the 3A tournament, Kellogg earned its first district team title in a long time, claiming five individual championships and littering the brackets with enough depth to beat second-place Timberlake by more than 50 points.
The Wildcats qualified 19 wrestlers to state, a number head coach Scott Miller was thrilled with. Miller couldn't remember the last time the Wildcats won a district title, thinking it might have been in the early 1990s.
The win was extra sweet after finishing last at districts the previous year, and Miller attributed the success to a strong junior high program that is starting to pay dividends.
"We won it because these guys wanted it," said Miller, who feels he has the numbers to compete for a state trophy. "We need to continue doing what we're doing - looking for points all the time."
Timberlake qualified 11 wrestlers, led by champions Dailyn Johnson (98), Kody Hongslo (120), Forrest Herring (160), Christian Heth (182) and Alan Foote (285). Hongslo is the No. 1-ranked 3A wrestler in the state, and will be gunning for a state title.
Third-place Bonners Ferry qualified 14 wrestlers to state, including junior Blaine Invernon, the No. 1-ranked 3A wrestler in the state. Invernon won a title as a freshman, then finished second last year, and wants to join Adam Hall as the only Badgers to win three state titles.
"That's what I'm going for," Invernon said. "I need to keep the right mindset. Nothing on the mind but winning. No doubts."
The 5A/4A/3A/2A Idaho state tournament will be held Friday and Saturday at Holt Arena in Pocatello.
(Top three to state, with 4th eligible for an at-large bid)
TEAM SCORES - 1, Lewiston, 348.5. 2, Post Falls, 323. 3, Coeur d'Alene, 194. 4, Lake City, 64.5.
Championship
98 - Lucas Bolster, PF, p. Anthony Price, Cd'A, :23. 106 - Drake Randall, Lew, d. Drake Foster, PF, 4-2 in OT. 113 - A. J. Konda, Cd'A, p. Jake Carlton, Lew, 5:16. 120 - Mitch Crain, PF, d. Johnny Kenyon, Lew, 3-2. 126 - Josh Carlton, Lew, d. Tyler Mahal, PF, 7-0. 132 - Bryce Parsons, Lew, tf. Chadd Webber, PF, 16-0. 138 - Ryan Klemp, Lew, md. Jake Lohmna, Lew, 13-0. 145 - James Ost, PF, by forfeit, Seth McLeod, PF. 152 - Nate Partenfelder, LC, by forfeit, Tyler Booth, PF. 160 - Austin Wilson, PF, by forfeit, Reece Baldwin, Lew. 170 - Cole Jesienouski, PF, d. Travis Huffman, Lew, 6-5. 182 - Nathan McLeod, PF, by forfeit, Cody Johnson, PF. 195 - Garret Demers, Cd'A, p. Troy Zolman, Lew, 1:24. 220 - Ryan Rigney, Lew, md. Matt James, Cd'A, 15-4. 285 - Dakota Graves, Cd'A, p. D.J. Maurer, Lew, 2:53.
Consolation
98 - Killian Konda, LC, p. Ryan Knapp, Lew, 4:21. 106 - Marshall Bowen, Lew, p. Drew Gorringe, Cd'A, 2:07. 113 - Peter Berger, PF, p. Chase Lincoln, Cd'A, 2:04. 120 - Steve Price, Cd'A, md. Michael Carr, LC, 10-0. 126 - Colby Marsh, Lew, p. Tristin Dunn, Cd'A, 2:52. 132 - Justin Rodgers, Lew, d. Nick Wells, LC, 7-4. 138 - Tanner Riekena, PF, d. Hudson Staub, Cd'A, 5-3. 145 - Zane Madruga, Lew, p. Jared Lambert, LC, 1:16. 152 - Drew Randall, Lew, d. Damian Rawson, Cd'A, 8-2. 160 - Gabe Ross, Cd'A, p. Mike Bond, PF, 2:14. 170 - Auston May, PF, p. Mackenzie Baker, Cd'A, 2:13. 182 - Quinton Grimmage, Lew, d. Justin Balison, LC, 1-0. 195 - Justin Farnsworth, PF, p. Billy Vigil, PF, 1:53. 220 - Austin Kasper, Lew, tf. Jeremy Nordam, PF, 18-2. 285 - Eugene Thompson, PF, p. Brendon Pearson, Lew, 3:39.
(Top two to state)
TEAM SCORES - 1, Lakeland, 313. 2, Sandpoint, 186.5. 3, Moscow, 130.5.
Championship
98 - Kyler Caniero, LL, by forfeit. 106 - Austin Hoobler, LL, p. Tanner McNelly, Spt, 1:53. 113 - Tyson Hendricks, LL, p. A.J. Bruce, Mos, :31. 120 - Peyton Dillon, Spt, d. Dustin Hannawalt, LL, 2-0. 126 - Chad Miller, LL, d. Lewis Dunton, Spt, 5-2. 132 - Troy Goodman, Spt, p. Will Putman, 5:12. 138 - Brandon Yount, LL, p. Tuekota Tate, LL, 1:25. 145 - Brandon Mailhot, LL, d. David Nelson, LL, 6-5. 152 - Jesse Putman, LL, p. Sam Bruce, Mos, 5:08. 160 - Chase Campbell, LL, by forfeit, Denver Winn, LL. 170 - Adam Weindl, Spt, d. Killian Estes, LL, 7-4. 182 - Justin Pepperdine, Spt, d. Joey Reintjes, Mos, 11-5. 195 - Josh Travers, Spt, p. Conner Shepard, LL, 2:45. 220 - Matt Lockey, Spt, p. Josh Kaplan, LL, :53. 285 - Jayden Vassell, Mos, p. Skyler Hatch, LL, :32.
(Top four to state)
TEAM SCORES - 1, Kellogg, 302. 2, Timberlake, 251. 3, Bonners Ferry, 232.5. 4, St. Maries, 110.5. 5, Priest River, 75.
Championship
98 - Dailyn Johnson, TL, p. Logan Dittman, St.M, 3:34. 106 - Bryson Vergobbi, Kel, p. Cam Raynor, TL, 4:35. 113 - Blake Ivie, Kel, d. Erik Martin, St.M, 15-11. 120 - Kody Hongslo, TL, md. Tristen O'Brien, Kel, 9-1. 126 - Tyler Popkin, PR, d. Drew Hill, TL, 6-2. 132 - Blaine Invernon, BF, by forfeit, Chris Vergobbi, Kel. 138 - Cole Jerome, Kel, p. Parker Davis, BF, 1:16. 145 - Cody Stewart, Kel, d. Tristen Roth, TL, 8-7. 152 - Cory Squires, Kel, d. Joe Bloomsburg, St.M, 15-13. 160 - Forrest Herring, TL, md. Ashton Stephenson, St.M, 11-2. 170 - Zach Heigel, BF, d. Brian Fink, PR, 11-7. 182 - Christian Heth, TL, p. Pierce Otto, Kel, :51. 195 - Carmen Krichbaum, BF, p. Jacob Harris, Kel, 3:06. 220 - Will Gaspar, BF, d. Jon Gaspar, BF, 6-4. 285 - Alan Foote, TL, p. Ricky O'Brien, Kel, 1:47.
Consolation
98 - Dillon Grafton, TL, p. Aaron Smith, BF, 2:16. 106 - Tucker Figueroa, Kel, p. Diamond Robinson, PR, 3:52. 113 - Josh Richmond, St.M, d. Scott Larson, TL, 11-6. 120 - Josh Tucker, BF, tf. Sheldon Dittman, St.M, 20-5. 126 - David Chapman, BF, by forfeit, Casey Jerome, Kel. 132 - Tyler Badertscher, TL, d. Thor Hoefer, PF, 7-2. 138 - Dallas Hopkins, PR, d. Preston Rhodes, TL, 8-7. 145 - Zack Wilson, BF, p. Justin Swan, Kel, 3:17. 152 - Devin Schalk, BF, p. Matt O'Niell, Kel, 4:08. 160 - Quinn Cummings, BF, p. Justin Kitchen, Kel, 3:16. 170 - Davin Wadsworth, Kel, p. Jonathon O'Brien, Kel, 1:25. 182 - Trever Marek, Kel, d. Nic Fuchs, TL, 4-0. 195 - Drew Johnson, TL, by forfeit. 220 - Wyatt Hopper, Kel, by forfeit. 285 - Rankin Langley, BF, by forfeit, Morris McAllister, BF.