A drive from within

COEUR d'ALENE - He's been a part of back-to-back state 5A championships for the Coeur d'Alene High wrestling team the past two seasons.

But the driving force for Viking senior Garrett DeMers has been clear since the first day of practice - a championship of his own.

DeMers has lost only once this year - to Jordan Rogers of Mead High in Spokane - the No. 1-ranked wrestler in the nation at 195 pounds.

"After that match, I knew I had to keep working hard," DeMers said. "There's always someone better than you out there. Even if you're winning in a match, you can't relax."

DeMers is the top seed at 195 pounds, entering this weekend's state 5A tournament in Pocatello with a 31-1 record. All classifications will compete at Holt Arena on Friday and conclude with the finals on Saturday at the campus of Idaho State University.

"It would be pretty huge," DeMers said of a possible state title. "Winning a team title with my friends was huge, but winning as an individual would be the accomplishment of my career. Nobody remembers how you did in the other tournaments - just how you finished at state."

Coeur d'Alene coach Jeff Moffat has noticed a change in DeMers since the start of the season.

"He's really matured a lot," Moffat said. "He's a really happy-go-lucky kid, but he's grown up a ton. The younger kids on the team look up to him. He's really matured throughout the season."

DeMers competes throughout the summer in freestyle tournaments, advancing to nationals twice.

"I enjoy the competition," DeMers said. "Getting your hand raised is a great feeling. It's nice to have your hard work pay off."

“He wrestles all summer,” Moffat said. “He’s put a lot of time and effort into this. He’s always had the ability to win state. Last year, he should have been in the finals had he not made a mistake late in a match that cost him. It would be really big for him if he were to win a state title. He’s been wrestling since the third grade. His credentials are as good as any athlete in this school. He’s really an outstanding athlete.”

DeMers finished third at 171 pounds as a junior and sixth at 152 as a sophomore.

DeMers has 26 pins this season. The school record is 29.

“Garrett is deadly with that cradle,” Moffat said.

DeMers attempted to go to that cradle too early in the finals of the Tri-State wrestling tournament in December against Matt Hopkins of Tahoma (Wash.) at North Idaho College, and was nearly pinned in the process. DeMers beat Hopkins by decision 7-6 for the championship.

“He made a mistake,” Moffat said. “But he’s learned from that. That was another of those mental lapses, but he’s really grown up a lot this year. He’s a real thinker on the mat and smart out there.”

DeMers knew at that point he needed to refocus on his season goal of a state title.

“I learned a lot that weekend,” DeMers said. “I made a mistake in the finals. After that, I knew I needed to make sure my wrestling had no mistakes.”

He’s since won championships at the Rollie Lane tournament in Nampa, Rocky Mountain Rumble in Missoula and North Idaho Rumble at Coeur d’Alene High.

“I just need to go out and wrestle like I’ve done all year,” DeMers said. “My coaches keep stressing that all the hard work will pay off in the end.”

DeMers credits his improvement to working with Viking assistant coaches Kelly Moffat and Tony Hook during practices.

“Either one of them will give me some advice about my opponent before the match,” DeMers said. “Then I just go out and do work.”

DeMers began growing a mullet at the beginning of the season as another motivational tool.

“I think it’s funny when you’ve got a stupid haircut and go out and beat the kid,” DeMers said. “Some people just think I’m retarded, but if they think that — they’ll get beat.”

Once his time at Coeur d’Alene ends, DeMers is looking into wrestling at the junior college level or possibly a Division I school.

“I’m thinking about going to Clackamas (Community College in Oregon City, Ore.),” DeMers said. “I want to remain close to home, and can do that by going there.”

“There’s been a few schools interested,” Moffat said. “Northern Colorado has some interest. As long as he stays focused this weekend, he should do well. Anything short of that would be a huge disappointment.”

5A: Moffat added that Post Falls is the favorite to win the state title in the 5A tournament. Post Falls finished seventh last year.

“It would be a real shock if they didn’t win it,” Moffat said. “They’ve got a lot of tough athletes and qualified 17 kids. They’re definitely the favorite right now.”

Lewiston qualified 19 wrestlers. Coeur d’Alene, the two-time defending champion, qualified 12.

3A: Timberlake qualified 14 wrestlers for the state tournament, the most under fourth-year coach Ryan Montang.

“As time goes on, the kids buy into the philosophy more and more,” Montang said. “I definitely think it’s realistic to bring back a trophy. Eight of these guys have state experience.”

Snake River is the defending 3A champion.

Matches in all classifications at 98 to 138 pounds begin on Friday from 8:30 to 10 a.m. (PST), with weights 145 to 285 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Quarterfinals are from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Friday.

Semifinals are from 8 to 9:30 a.m., on Saturday with the finals scheduled following the parade of athletes at 2:30 p.m.

Fans can track brackets at www.idhsaa.org/sports/wrestling/default.asp.