Cardinals fall in opener

COLUMBIA FALLS, Mont. — After a 29-9 setback to NAIA University of Providence — the former Great Falls — at Columbia Falls High to open the season on Thursday, North Idaho College wrestling coach Pat Whitcomb said what will cure his club will be more matches.

The Cardinals will get exactly that in the coming week.

Austin Iorga earned a 11-8 decision at 133 pounds for NIC, which also picked up decisions by Thomas Stevenson (157) and Levi Perry (184).

“Providence was pretty good and came out and wrestled really well,” Whitcomb said. “Austin got a real gutsy win and it was good to see him wrestle well. We dropped a couple of matches that I would have liked to have, but we’ll need to get better by next weekend. A couple of the guys were a little shellshocked and didn’t react. What we need are just some more matches.”

NIC travels to Highline next Thursday, then competes at Simon Fraser on Nov. 10 and in the Pacific Open at Forest Grove, Ore., on Nov. 12.

125 — Dorian Sapien, UP, d. Esco Walker, 1:09. 133 — Austin Iorga, NIC, d. Eli Walston, 11-8. 141 — Jarren Komac, UP, md. Nicholas Hara, 11-2. 149 — Shonn Roberts, UP, d. Brent Evans, 6-5. 157 — Thomas Stevenson, NIC, d. Casey Dobson, 5-1. 165 — Gage Bentley, UP, d. Trey Meyer, 9-4. 174 — Adrian Lyons-Lopez, UP, p. Jacob Swift, 5:43. 184 — Levi Perry, NIC, d. Justin Harbison, 8-5. 197 — John Hensley, UP, d. Trager Abatti, 14-6. 285 — Mathew Hopkins, UP, d. Damian Trujillo, 8-5.