THE FRONT ROW WITH JASON ELLIOTT: A lot of hope with this slate for wrestlers, NIC

By the time area high school wrestlers hit their respective district/regional tournaments, they will have a good idea of what needs to happen — good or bad — if and when the state tournament rolls around.

It's no secret this year is going to be a lot different than any other in recent memory.

DUE TO the coronavirus pandemic, teams have had to shuffle schedules, opting for more duals between schools, and in some cases duals tournaments.

But that's not all the coaches in the area are stressing to their kids.

"We've really just had to do what everyone else has done," Coeur d'Alene wrestling coach Jeff Moffat said. "We're telling them to wash their hands, use sanitizer and wash their workout gear each day. But the kids really have to follow through with it. We've told them to wear a mask and during practice, work with the same practice partner in case something happens, we can do contract tracing a little easier."

Still, with limited bodies in certain positions, it could still be difficult.

"It's going to be a challenge in some spots," Moffat said. "But we've pounded in their heads to be smart about everything they do. If you want the season to finish, you've got to follow the protocols."

Lake City wrestling coach Corey Owen was in favor of shortening the season, even starting after the Christmas break on Jan. 2.

"I'd emailed some board members of the Idaho High School Activities Association and had the idea of the less exposure we had, it would be good to lessen the dates," Owen said. "I was certainly in the minority. We'll have 8 to 10 dual meets, and then go to state. Hopefully, that will limit the risk."

Anything can still happen between now and Feb. 26-27, when the state wrestling tournament is scheduled to be held at the Ford Idaho Center in Nampa.

"There's just so much uncertainty," Moffat said. "It's kind of like walking on eggshells right now. As a coach, you just keep your fingers crossed and know there's going to be hiccups along the way. We just hope to get to the end and have a state tournament for these kids."

FOR THOSE fans missing seeing North Idaho College in action, whether it be in basketball, volleyball, wrestling or soccer, the Cardinals are on their way back.

In a few months, that is.

NIC posted schedules for the upcoming season earlier this week, with the basketball teams tentatively to open on Feb. 13 against Big Bend Community College in Moses Lake.

The Cardinal volleyball team hosts Big Bend to open the season on Feb. 13.

In both sports, teams will play three nonconference games against East Region opponents before starting Northwest Athletic Conference play on March 9.

Soccer won't begin until March 27 when the Cardinals host Walla Walla. Unlike the other sports, all matches will count as conference matches.

Wrestling will be the earliest of the NIC programs to return, with the first event scheduled being the Apodaca Duals on Jan. 29-30 in Powell, Wyo.

And while the NIC softball team won't get the chance to travel to Florida this spring, the Cardinals will get going on March 14, right around the time they'd normally be starting the conference season. It could also be the first games at newly renovated Memorial Field for the Cardinals since the 2017 season.

At least, we hope so.

Jason Elliott is a sports writer for The Press. He can be reached by telephone at (208) 664-8176, Ext. 2020 or via email. Follow him on Twitter @JECdAPress.