THE FRONT ROW WITH JIM LANDERS: Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Ever stop to wonder how North Idaho College comes up with a winning wrestling team year after year?

In general, participants and fans of wrestling are members of a unique family. The sport is the common bond. NIC is special because its immediate family is populated with so many winners.

Les Hogan started the program on a winning note, and brought talent to the program.

John Owen followed Les Hogan as head coach. He won a national team championship his first year. In his 20 years at NIC, John won 8 national team titles with 35 national champs and 105 All-Americans. Pat Whitcomb took over for John Owen. He also won a national team title in his first year as coach. Mr. Whitcomb has continued the winning ways of NIC and could win another title this year.

The attractiveness of Coeur d’Alene and the Northwest has not gone unnoticed by all these winning wrestlers. The high school recruits have come from all over but many have made Coeur d’Alene and the Northwest their home. Corey Owen is a NIC wrestler who has made Coeur d’Alene his home. Corey coaches at Lake City High School and has done wonders for the Timberwolves’ program.

Dajour Reece and Isaac Aguilar are two prime examples of how the winning family works.

Dajour Reece came to NIC from Arizona and is a sophomore this year. He finished second at the junior college national championships last year. In Arizona, Curtis Owen was his coach. Curtis Owen won a national title for NIC in 1999. Dajour has goals of first being a member of a national championship team and also winning an individual title.

Isaac Aguilar came to NIC from Hermiston, Ore. During Isaac’s junior year in high school Shaun Williams became his wrestling coach. Shaun won a national title for NIC in 1999 coached by Pat Whitcomb. Shaun Williams was recruited from South Africa to NIC. Last year Isaac broke his arm three days before the national tournament. He plans to contribute to this year’s run at the national title. Last year he did make the academic honor roll at NIC, which certifies him as a winner.

So, if you had a NIC close-to-home family reunion of winners you would have to invite the high school coaches from: West Valley, Lakeland, Post Falls, Lake City, University High, Central Valley, Ferris, Mead, and Mt. Spokane. It’s no wonder that NIC continues to be the best year after year with this kind of family.

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