National-caliber wrestling close to home

POST FALLS — For some, it’s a chance to see what the best of the best looks like across the United States.

For others, it’s a good chance to learn just what you need to improve on moving forward.

Post Falls High freshman Ridge Lovett, who already has USA Wrestling national titles in Greco-Roman and folkstyle, added a state high school wrestling crown to his long list of titles in February and started the inaugural America’s Cup duals tournament with a 3-0 record on Saturday at The Arena as a member of the Idaho Black All-Star team.

“It’s nice to not have to travel,” Lovett said. “I thought more teams were going to come and I’d end up with more matches, but it’s nice to have it here and have some of those bigger teams come here for a change.”

Lovett won all three of his matches in the first three rounds by pin.

“It’s really nice to have good teams are coming in here to wrestle us,” Lovett said. “It’s always fun going to California on the bus and go to Knott’s Berry Farm (an amusement park in Buena Park, Calif.). But, getting to sleep in my own house last night was really nice.”

For Sandpoint junior Casey Randles — who went a perfect 32-0 on his way to a state 4A title at 182 pounds — it was a chance to see how he matches up against some of the best in the country.

The results were really good for Randles, who went unbeaten on Saturday while wrestling for the Idaho Black team, a collection of wrestlers from around the state.

“I’ve been to a few of these before,” Randles said. “I love them. They’re great competition and great fun to participate in.”

Randles beat his second-round opponent — Keigan Yuhas of Michigan — by a 21-5 technical fall after pinning Mitch Willett of the Southwestern Oregon All-Stars in 4:48 in the opening round.

“I was just trying to go out and score as many points as I could,” Randles said. “Unfortunately, I got a little frustrated toward the end of the second period and was kind of slowing down. But I caught my breath and came back in the third period to get the tech (technical fall).

Randles, who has competed in folkstyle tournaments all over the Northwest, added that having this event so close to home was nice for a change.

“I don’t know if it’s more relaxing, but I definitely enjoy it more,” Randles said. “Having my entire family here supporting me, that’s great. In the past, we’ve had to drive to California or the toughest competition I’d see was in the Pocatello or Boise area. When they bring these up here, it’s great. Having my family come out to see this is great and it gives a good picture of just how tough the national level is.”

Meanwhile Coeur d’Alene junior Alex Marshall, who just started wrestling this year, wasn’t even sure if he’d be able to compete in the event due to work obligations.

“For me, I like just like coming to events like this,” Marshall said. “This is my first year, and I really want to get my experience level up. Wrestling against tougher guys and tougher competition will only make me a better wrestler. I want to do that here.”

In his first match of the day, Marshall lost by pin to Isaiah Ortiz of California in 5:41. Marshall fought back to get a pin in the second round, pinning Cameron Campbell of Oregon in 5:41.

“The one thing I learned from today is that I need to work on my cardio,” said Marshall, who had to forfeit his third match of the day due to work obligations. “It’s an honor to compete in a tournament like this so close to home. My family here is around here watching and I really appreciate that they can come out and watch this. I was really worried after finding out about this that I wasn’t going to be able to compete because of work at all, but it worked out.”

Marshall finished fifth at the state 5A meet last year in Pocatello at 220 pounds.

“I learned a lot from this weekend,” Marshall said. “I need to work on my shots and get my cardio back to where I need it to be. I think I’ll be in good shape.”

Post Falls High coach Pete Reardon is coaching the Idaho North team this weekend, comprised mainly of his own Trojan wrestlers.

“It’s really good exposure for these kids,” Reardon said. “The California team won a state title, and is ranked fifth in the nation. To wrestle teams like that, you really get tested. And the Oregon team is really good as well. The Michigan team has some great kids, so it’s cool to see some of that other competition. We want to build this for the future and get some more teams.”

The tournament, in its seventh year, was scheduled to have at least 10 teams compete, but only six participated in the event, which was held in Clovis, Calif., the first six years. Post Falls plans to host the event in 2017 and ’18 as well. Organizers were looking for a new location after having it in California the previous six years, and after looking at the area, opted to hold it at Post Falls, according to Reardon.

The first day of competition, which featured three rounds of duals on three mats, attracted perhaps 75 fans.

“It’s just making connections and having teams buy in that this is going to be a great tournament,” Reardon said. “It’s a great place to come. Even though it’s on Memorial Day weekend, you can come out a day early and do some other things like go to Silverwood, or ride the Route of the Hiawatha. We’re trying to sell some of the teams on the idea of coming out a day early and doing some of those things. All of the Idaho teams rode the Hiawatha as a group yesterday, which is a chance for them to do out and do something nice while they’re here.”

Reardon’s Idaho North team went 0-3 in its duals on the opening day.

“We took our lumps, which was to be expected,” Reardon said. “We had six of our main guys on some of the all-star teams, so if you take some of those guys out, it kind of changes things. But it gives some of our other guys a chance to step in and see some good competition. It’s great exposure for them.”

That exposure was something that Mark Boulton, coach of the Michigan All-Star team from Lowell, a small community a half-hour from Grand Rapids was looking for when he accepted the invitation to compete in this weekend’s tournament.

“I think it’s a great experience for these kids,” Michigan coach Mark Boulton said. “It’s always nice to see the country and some different competition. We’re out here to get some mat time and get better. We’re just trying to get better for next year. We’re not out here looking to take home any hardware. We’re just here to get better for next year so we can bring it home next year.”

Boulton’s team arrived in the Coeur d’Alene area on Thursday. Michigan’s team finished 1-2 on Saturday, beating Idaho North in the third round.

“We did the Hiawatha ride on Friday and the kids haven’t seen anything like that before,” Boulton said. “It’s some beautiful scenery and great experience for them. The mountains is what has the kids the most excited. They don’t get to see this a lot. We’re more of a flat-land, farming area. So when we got into the mountains, the kids were excited to see some different terrain and everything it has to offer.”

Wrestling resumes today at 8 a.m. with the fourth-round matchups featuring Idaho Black vs. Idaho North, California vs. Michigan and Idaho Blue vs. Southwest Oregon. The fifth and final round starting at 10 features Idaho North vs. Idaho Blue, Michigan vs. Southwest Oregon and Idaho Black vs. California.

Both Idaho Black and California finished the first day unbeaten. The tournament is round-robin, so the Idaho Black-California dual could decide the champion.

FIRST ROUND

IDAHO BLACK 51,

SOUTHWEST OREGON ALL-STARS 18

103 — Ridge Lovett, Idaho Black, d. Landon Robinson, 2:06. 111 — Zeth Brower, Southwest Oregon, d. William Edelblute, 6-4. 118 — Levi Austin, Idaho Black, d. Hunter Sparks, 7-4. 125 — Matt McLeod, Idaho Black, p. Noah Stumbo, 2:41. 131 — Dante Carreno, Idaho Black, d. Austin David, 7-3. 137 — Christian Hudson, Idaho Black, p. Pacer Quire, 4:53. 143 — TJ Wolf, Idaho Black, md. Shane Sabins, 12-0. 150 — Alius De La Rosa, Idaho Black, d. Logan Meek, 4-2. 157 — Trajan Hurd, Southwest Oregon, p. Mario Peregrina, 4:55. 165 — Austin Harris, Southwest Oregon, d. Tyler Presser, 11-5. 175 — Casey Randles, Idaho Black, p. Mitch Willett, 4:48. 187 — Nate Clements, Idaho Black, md. Cade Woodward, 15-2. 200 — Haydn Maley, Southwest Oregon, d. Tyler Matthews, 2:22. 225 — Scott McDonald, Idaho Black, md. Cameron Campbell, 19-11. 290 — Daniel Rodriguez, Idaho Black, p. Beau Crawford, 3:00.

CALIFORNIA 66, IDAHO NORTH 9

103 — Hunter Leake, California, by forfeit. 111 — AJ De La Rosa, Idaho North, d. Josh Poore, 7-4. 118 — Matthew Olguin, California, p. Jonny Hill, :55. 125 — Nick Myuang, California, d. Mathius De La Rosa, 8-7. 131 — Ethan Leake, California, p. Alessio Lemmon, 1:39. 137 — Jake Abeyta, California, d. David Booth, 5-0. 143 — Zach Poore, California, d. Wyatt Shelly, 8-2. 150 — Brett Villarreal, California, d. Jason Burchell, 12-6. 157 — Tracy Hunter, California, p. Chris Farnsworth, 2:23. 165 — Jake Levatino, California, p. Bailey Redwing, :47. 175 — Joaquin Castillejos, California, d. Queong Smith, 4:57. 187 — Abel Garcia, California, d. Isaac Shadduck, 1:38. 200 — Luis Melecio, California, by forfeit. 225 — Isaiah Ortiz, California, p. Alex Marshall, 5:41. 290 — Kameron Welker, Idaho North, d. David Robles, 1:11.

IDAHO BLUE 45,

MICHIGAN ALL-STARS 28

103 — Robert Altland, Michigan, d. Avery Stimpson, 5-4. 111 — Jordan Grimm, Idaho Blue, p. Jeff Leach, 3:33. 118 — Joe Rice, Idaho Blue, d. Cameron Mahlich, 3-1. 125 — John Russell, Michigan, p. Zak Allred, 4:39. 131 — Brian Edelblute, Idaho Blue, p. Thomas Hubert, 5:29. 137 — Brayden Huber, Idaho Blue, p. Sam Russell, 2:23. 143 — Avry Mutschler, Michigan, md. Chris Velasco, 11-2. 150 — Koy Meredith, Idaho Blue, p. Channing Perry, 2:42. 157 — Bryce Dempsey, Michigan, d. Devin Smith, 3:33. 165 — Tanner Hughes, Idaho Blue, d. Jackson Nevavomski, 3-2. 175 — Boe Boston, Idaho Blue, p. Keigan Yuhas, 2:29. 187 — Jared Walker, Idaho Blue, p. Joshua Smith, :47. 200 — Payson Anderton, Idaho Blue, d. Elijah Boulton, 10-3. 225 — Tyden Ferris, Michigan, d. Reegan Strunk, :52. 290 — Max Bishop, Michigan, d. Jake McGinnis, 6-2.

SECOND ROUND

IDAHO BLACK 48,

MICHIGAN ALL-STARS 22

103 — Ridge Lovett, Idaho Black, p. Robert Altland, 1:01. 111 — William Edelblute, Idaho Black, d. Jeff Leach, 7-1. 118 — Cameron Mahlich, Michigan, d. Levi Austin, 5-1. 125 — Matt McLeod, Idaho Black, p. John Russell, 3:33. 131 — Dante Carreno, Idaho Black, p. Thomas Hubert, :32. 137 — Christian Hudson, Idaho Black, p. Sam Russell, 5:02. 143 — TJ Wolf, Idaho Black, d. Avry Mutschler, 7-1. 150 — Alius De La Rosa, Idaho Black, p. Channing Perry, 1:27. 157 — Bryce Dempsey, Michigan, md. Mario Peregrina, 10-0. 165 — Jackson Nevavomski, Michigan, d. Tyler Presser, 4-3. 175 — Casey Randles, tf. Keigan Yuhas, 21-5. 187 — Nate Clements, IB, md. Joshua Smith, 10-2. 200 — Elijah Boulton, Mich, p. Tyler Mathews, 3:08. 225 — Tyden Ferris, Michigan, d. Scott McDonald, 5:09. 290 — Daniel Rodriguez, Idaho Black, d. Max Bishop, 2-0.

CALIFORNIA 38, IDAHO BLUE 30

103 — Avery Stimpson, Idaho Blue, d. Hunter Leake, 7-0. 111 — Josh Poore, California, d. Jordan Grimm, 5-3. 118 — Matthew Olguin, California, md. Joe Rice, 16-4. 125 — Nick Myuang, California, p. Zak Allred, 1:07. 131 — Ethan Leake, California, p. Brian Edelblute, 4:37. 137 — Brayden Huber, Idaho Blue, d. Jake Abeyta, 6-1. 143 — Chris Velasco, Idaho Blue, d. Zach Poore, 3-1. 150 — Koy Meredith, Idaho Blue, d. Brett Villarreal, 7-4. 157 — Tracy Hunter, California, md. Devin Smith, 14-5. 165 — Jake Levatino, California, p. Tanner Hughes, 1:21. 175 — Boe Boston, Idaho Blue, p. Joaquin Castillejos, 3:56. 187 — Abel Garcia, California, d. Jared Walker, 3-2. 200 — Payson Anderton, Idaho Blue, d. Luis Melecio, 3:02. 225 — Isaiah Ortiz, California, d. Reegan Strunk, :23. 290 — Jake McGinnis, Idaho Blue, p. David Robles, 3:00.

SOUTHWEST OREGON ALL-STARS 61, IDAHO NORTH 15

103 — Landon Robinson, Southwest Oregon, by forfeit. 111 — Zeth Brower, Southwest Oregon, d. AJ De La Rosa, 9-3. 118 — Hunter Sparks, Southwest Oregon, p. Jonny Hill, :30. 125 — Mathius De La Rosa, Idaho North, p. Noah Stumbo, 2:50. 131 — Austin David, Southwest Oregon, p. Alessio Lemmon, 2:52. 137 — Pacer Quire, Southwest Oregon, d. David Booth, 4-2. 143 — Shane Sebins, Southwest Oregon, d. Wyatt Shelly, 9-4. 150 — Logan Meek, Southwest Oregon, p. Tyler Morris, 3:48. 157 — Trajan Hurd, Southwest Oregon, p. Jason Burchell, 2:58. 165 — Austin Harris, Southwest Oregon, p. Chris Farnsworth, 1:09. 175 — Mitch Willett, Southwest Oregon, md. Queong Smith, 12-4. 187 — Cade Woodward, Southwest Oregon, p. Issac Shadduck, 1:23. 200 — Haydn Maley, Southwest Oregon, by forfeit. 225 — Alex Marshall, Idaho North, p. Cameron Campbell, 5:39. 290 — Kameron Welker, Idaho North, d. Beau Crawford, 7-1.

THIRD ROUND

IDAHO BLACK 65, IDAHO BLUE 3

103 — Ridge Lovett, Idaho Black, p. Avery Stimpson, 1:55. 111 — William Edelblute, Idaho Black, d. Jordan Grimm, 4-2. 118 — Levi Austin, Idaho Black, p. Joe Rice, 2:50. 125 — Matt McLeod, Idaho Black, p. Zak Allred, 1:19. 131 — Dante Carreno, Idaho Black, md. Brian Edelblute, 11-1. 137 — Christian Hudson, Idaho Black, d. Brayden Huber, 3-2. 143 — TJ Wolf, Idaho Black, d. Chris Velasco, 1-0. 150 — Alius De La Rosa, Idaho Black, d. Koy Meredith, 3-1. 157 — Mario Peregrina, Idaho Black, p. Devin Smith, 5:26. 165 — Tyler Presser, Idaho Black, d. Tanner Hughes, 7-5. 175 — Casey Randles, Idaho Black, p. Boe Boston, 4:29. 187 — Jared Walker, Idaho Blue, d. Nate Clements, 3-2. 200 — Tyler Mathews, Idaho Black, p. Payson Anderton, 1;53. 225 — Scott McDonald, Idaho Black, p. Reegan Strunk, 1:16. 290 — Daniel Rodriguez, Idaho Black, md. Jake McGinnis, 8-0.

CALIFORNIA 45,

SOUTHWEST OREGON 24

103 — Landon Robinson, Southwest Oregon, d. Hunter Leake, 7-1. 111 — Josh Poore, California, d. Zeth Brower, 6-4. 118 — Matthew Olguin, California, p. Hunter Sparks, 4:00. 125 — Nick Myuang, California, d. Noah Stumbo, 12-5. 131 — Ethan Leake, California, p. Austin David, 2:50. 137 — Jake Abeyta, California, p. Pacer Quire, 3:45. 143 — Zach Poore, California, p. Shane Sabins, 4:17. 150 — Logan Meek, Southwest Oregon, d. Brett Villarreal, 10-4. 157 — Trajan Hurd, Southwest Oregon, p. Kiran Srikanth, 3:09. 165 — Jake Levantino, California, d. Austin Harris, 4-3. 175 — Mitch Willett, Southwest Oregon, p. Joaquin Castillejos, 2:53. 187 — Abel Garcia, California, d. Cade Woodward, 5-2. 200 — Luis Melecio, California, d. Cameron Campbell, 12-7. 225 — Haydn Maley, Southwest Oregon, p. Isaiah Ortiz, 1:46. 290 — David Robles, California, p. Beau Crawford, 1:10.

MICHIGAN ALL-STARS 66,

IDAHO NORTH 12

103 — Robert Altland, Michigan, by forfeit. 111 — AJ De La Rosa, Idaho North, d. Jeff Leach, 7-5. 118 — Cameron Mahlich, Michigan, p. Jonny Hill, :27. 125 — John Russell, Michigan, p. Alessio Lemmon, 2:39. 131 — Mathius De La Rosa, Idaho North, p. Thomas Hubert, 5:00. 137 — Sam Russell, Michigan, md. David Booth, 14-4. 143 — Avry Mutschler, Michigan, md. Wyatt Shelly, 10-1. 150 — Channing Perry, Michigan, p. Jason Burchell, :18. 157 — Bryce Dempsey, Michigan, p. Chris Farnsworth, 1:16. 165 — Jackson Nevavomski, Michigan, p. Bailey Redwing, 1:34. 175 — Keigan Yuhas, Michigan, md. Queong Smith, 10-0. 187 — Joshua Smith, Michigan, p. Isaac Shadduck, 2:36. 200 — Elijah Boulton, Michigan, by forfeit. 225 — Tyden Ferris, Michigan, by forfeit. 290 — Kameron Welker, Idaho North, d. Max Bishop, 1-0.