Cardinals head into break with big win

COEUR d’ALENE — Esco Walker of North Idaho College edged Warner Pacific’s Josh Johnson, ranked sixth in the NAIA, 7-6, setting the tone for NIC’s 42-3 victory over the Knightros from Portland on Sunday at Christianson Gym.

“That was a big win; getting that win was big for him going into break,” NIC coach Pat Whitcomb said.

NIC won all but one of the 10 matches (including three by forfeit), to head into the holiday break with a 5-5 record.

Whitcomb praised the work of Levi Perry, who beat Joe Dickinson 6-4 at 184, and noted Austin Iorga also wrestled well in a 16-11 loss to Lucas Higginbotham at 133.

“This leaves a good taste in our mouth,” Whitcomb said. “This one sets a tone.”

With Trey Meyer lost for the rest of the season due to a torn ACL suffered in practice a couple weeks ago, the lineup will see some juggling, Whitcomb said.

Trysten Perales, will drop from 197 to 174 (he had been weighing around 180, Whitcomb said), and Jacob Swift will drop from 174 to 165.

Micah Tynanes-Perez, a freshman from Hawaii, could come out of redshirt at 197.

“We’re just looking to get some consistency,” said Whitcomb, who said his team has been plagued by injuries and illness so far this season. “We’ve got the talent; we’ve just got to get consistent.”

NIC returns to action Jan. 13, facing Eastern Oregon in a dual scheduled for Sentinel High in Missoula, in conjunction with a high school tournament there that weekend.

125 — Esco Walker, NIC, d. Josh Johnson, 7-6. 133 — Lucas Higginbotham, WP, d. Austin Iorga, 16-11. 141 — Diego Nunez, NIC, by forfeit. 149 — Brent Evans, NIC, tf. Chas Peterson, 16-1. 157 — Thomas Stevenson, NIC, d. Baylen Cooper, 5-3. 165 — Cooper McCullough, NIC, md. Timothy Riviera, 14-3. 174 — Jacob Swift, NIC, p. Jonathan Moskowitz, 2:19. 184 — Levi Perry, NIC, d. Joe Dickinson, 6-4. 197 — Trysten Perales, NIC, by forfeit. 285 — Christian Grover, NIC, by forfeit.