THE FRONT ROW WITH JASON ELLIOTT: Wednesday, February 4, 2016
Coaches often talk about building momentum heading into the postseason.
For area wrestling teams, there’s no better way to do that than a good showing at the annual North Idaho Rumble at Coeur d’Alene High.
Post Falls may have won the battle — and the Trojans have won quite a few in recent years — but the war, well, that’s just getting going.
IN CASE you missed it over the weekend, Post Falls ran away with the team title with 293.5 points, 102 more than runner-up Lakeland.
“It was so important for us to have a good weekend,” said Post Falls coach Pete Reardon, whose team also has claimed championships at the Sidney (Mont.), Tri-State and Rollie Lane Invitational this season. “It’s kind of a homecoming thing for us as far as getting back home and being successful. We’re looking to get ready to go for the postseason. Coming to the Coeur d’Alene tournament, it’s not such a grind like those other tournaments we’ve been in this year. It’s a huge bracket and we’ve got tons of kids trying to polish things up and see those same guys we’ll see in the postseason.”
Post Falls wrestles at Coeur d’Alene on Thursday, then hosts Lake City on Feb. 10 for its final dual before the 5A Region 1 tournament on Feb. 20 at Lakeland High.
Lakeland had two champions — Larry Johnson and Jared Walker — during the tournament, with a handful of placers as well.
“Our guys are wrestling to their potential and above right now,” Lakeland coach Rob Edelblute said. “Hopefully they’ll continue to do that during the rest of the season. It was a really good day. Everyone wrestled to their seed and above. It was a really good showing by our kids.”
Host Coeur d’Alene finished with eight placers, including four runner-up finishers.
“Overall, I was pretty pleased with the guys,” Coeur d’Alene coach Jeff Moffat said. “All in all, it was a good effort by our guys. We still need to get a few weights cleaned up.”
Coeur d’Alene concludes the regular season at Lewiston on Feb. 10.
Lake City had three placers, with Nate Lambert finishing third at 152 pounds.
“We’re as healthy as you can be after a tough tournament like this,” said Lake City coach Corey Owen, whose team hosts Lewiston on Thursday. “We’ll taper things down now and try to get all of our guys healthy and turn our focus to regionals.”
WHEN THE 3A District 1 girls basketball tournament opens next Monday at North Idaho College, the Timberlake Tigers will likely be heavily favored to win a third straight district title.
“They’re a fun, tight-knit group,” Timberlake coach Matt Miller said. “They all get along really well and are enjoying this season, which has been great.”
The championship game of that tournament is scheduled for next Wednesday, to be immediately followed by the 4A Region 1 title game.
Chances are, you’re not going to want to miss what happens next.
Jason Elliott is a sports writer for the Coeur d’Alene Press. He can be reached by telephone at 664-8176, Ext. 2020 or via email at jelliott@cdapress.com. Follow him on Twitter @JEPressSports.