Like a rock

POCATELLO — After sending 10 wrestlers to the finals of the state 5A wrestling tournament, Post Falls coach Pete Reardon turned to his coaches and asked a simple question.

“Would you have picked this team to set the scoring record?”

Well, they set it.

Then shattered it.

Post Falls, behind seven individual champions and 10 finalists, scored 338.5 points to lap the field for a state team title at Holt Arena on Saturday, for the program’s third title in four years.

“It still hasn’t hit me yet,” said Reardon, in his ninth season. “People started asking about the points record and it started to become a conversation with our fans.”

Post Falls broke the previous record of 320.5 set by Centennial of Boise in 2014.

“We really didn’t think it was possible,” Reardon said. “After our final match, I looked at all our coaches, and we looked at each other, and I said ‘Would you have picked this team to set the scoring record.’ I didn’t think we had that kind of depth to do it. It’s crazy. I can’t believe that just happened.”

Freshmen Roddy Romero (98 pounds) and Isaac Jessen (113), sophomore A.J. De La Rosa (132), juniors Ridge Lovett (126) and Tyler Morris (152) and seniors Jordan Grimm (120) and Brayden Huber (160) claimed titles for Post Falls.

Romero earned his first title by beating teammate Braxton Mason in the finals.

“It was really cool that the top two in that weight class were from Post Falls,” Romero said. “It didn’t feel like a pressure thing, but more to go out and have fun. After the match, we pointed to the crowd, and it was a cool moment.”

Likewise, Morris took on fellow Trojan Wyatt Shelly in the finals at 152 pounds.

“It was more calming than nerves in the finals,” Morris said. “I knew going into the match that whoever was going to win had put in the work during practice. After the match, I just told him I loved him and we’re always going to be friends.”

Grimm beat Preston Owens of Kuna by a 7-5 decision for his first title.

“I was just able to stay on the attack,” Grimm said. “It was the last match of my high school career, so I knew I had to give it everything I had.”

Grimm had finished second and third in the previous two years.

“It was a huge difference knowing I’d been there before,” Grimm said. “All of it’s really hard to believe right now.”

De La Rosa had to hold off Angel Rios of Columbia for a 2-1 decision.

“I didn’t think I had the energy to make it through,” De La Rosa said. “With 10 seconds left, I was kind of gassed, but knew I needed to get it done. I had faith I could do it and it gave me the push to get through it.”

Lovett, the lone repeat champion for Post Falls, won his third-straight title with a 10-4 decision over Derek Ramos of Hillcrest.

“I’ve wrestled him in the finals the last three years,” Lovett said. “It was just a blessing from God. We’ve had great teams in the past, but this might have been the best we’ve had. It was amazing we all came together and got it done.”

After three-straight runner-up finishes, Huber broke through with a title, beating Devin Smith of Madison.

“After getting second three years in a row, I came into the season humble and confident,” Huber said. “I was confident in my skills and got the job done.”

Senior Coleton Kazmierczak was third at 170, junior Mathias De La Rosa fourth at 145, senior Quin Bennett fourth at 220 and freshman Lane Reardon sixth at 106 for Post Falls.

“Not everything went perfect, but it was pretty darn close,” Reardon said. “Just round after round, keeping everything going the right direction. We’re blessed as a coaching staff to have those kids peaking at the right time.”

Post Falls fans are encouraged to meet the team today at 3 p.m. at Kootenai Fire and Rescue on Seltice Way for a motorcade to the high school for a celebration of the team’s championship. Fans are encouraged to use the back doors to The Arena.

Junior Payton Keough (132 pounds) fought back for third, with sophomore Hunter Schueller (120) and freshman Nolan Randles (126) finishing sixth for Coeur d’Alene.

“Payton wrestled hard, aggressive and had a great tournament,” Coeur d’Alene coach Jeff Moffat said. “He got beat in the quarterfinals, but kept his head and didn’t panic. He did a great job battling back and crushed the kid he faced in the third-place match. All the guys we had in the lineup today wrestled hard.”

Coeur d’Alene finished 12th.

“We’ve got no complaints at all about the kids effort today,” Moffat said. “When you’re in those placing matches, it’s tough. Our guys did a great job.”

Sophomore Owen Hughes finished sixth at 285 for Lake City, which finished 18th.