PREP WRESTLING: Challenge accepted — Post Falls sophomore Seguine steps up, downs Lake City's Macdonald in match between defending state champions

By JASON ELLIOTT

Sports writer

COEUR d’ALENE — It’s never too early to step up to a challenge.

Just ask Post Falls High sophomore Rider Seguine.

Seguine, the defending state 5A champion at 98 pounds, had an opportunity to face the 5A champion at 106, Zach Macdonald from Lake City.

“I found out right before weigh-ins today, right as we got on the bus,” Seguine said. “I never wrestled him before, but watched him at state. I was super excited for the matchup with a state champ against state champ. I was looking forward to a great match, and it sure was.”

Both moved up a weight this season, and Seguine bumped up to Macdonald to meet at 113.

Seguine and Macdonald were tied 4-4 after the first period, then Seguine took a 6-4 advantage after the second on a reversal. Leading 10-6 late in the third, Seguine caught Macdonald on his back for a pin at the 5-minute, 54-second mark of the match.

Post Falls won the dual 76-7.

“I just had to keep upping the pace and push him around and control the pace,” Seguine said.

Seguine weighed in at 103.5 pounds Thursday afternoon, planning to wrestle at 106 that night.

“I knew he was really technical and felt I had the weight and strength over him,” Macdonald said. “I was pretty confident and he ended up being way more technical than I thought. In the second round, I was getting gassed and tired, and he wasn’t and just kept working really well.”

Lake City was going to forfeit at 106, allowing Seguine the chance to move up to 113.

“It was just a great match between two state champions,” Post Falls coach Pete Reardon said. “It was a good challenge and figured it would be a great match. I asked him if he’d be interested, and he said, ‘Heck yeah, I’m interested’ and let’s try to put on a show and that the fans would enjoy it. What better way to do that than with two state champions on the mat together.”

Macdonald outweighed Seguine by 10 pounds.

“Rider said that he knew he’d be giving up some weight, but wanted that challenge,” Reardon said. “And that’s the kind of spirit you want to have.”

“It was very back and forth and a good match,” Lake City coach Corey Owen said. “I give Rider a lot of credit to go up a weight class to wrestle a state champion. Two state champions going at it, that’s what the sport is about.”

Late in the third, Seguine was awarded a near fall as Macdonald was about to escape, turning the tide in the match.

“It made it so Zach got a little desperate trying to win the match,” Owen said. “I’d like to say I’d love to see that match again, but know that it probably won’t happen because they’re in different weight classes. It wasn’t Zach’s best night, but he always gives me 100 percent. He just came up a little short tonight.”

Post Falls won nine matches by pin, another three via forfeit in the win over the Timberwolves at Lake City High.

“I think it’s just a measuring stick right now,” Reardon said. “There’s some matches that we lost and made some mistakes, and that’s fine for now. This is the time of year to go out, wrestle hard and see where you’re at and continue to get better.”

Lake City senior Blaine Leonard, who finished third at state at 126 last year, beat Connor McCarroll, sixth at state as a sophomore last year, by a 10-2 major decision at 138. Sophomore Garrett Leonard edged Post Falls senior Keanyn DeGroat 7-5 at 182.

“They’re tough and wrestling really well right now,” Owen said. “They’ve been the leaders in the room and it has fallen out here on the mat. Garrett, he made some big strides this year and that’s a good Post Falls kid he beat in that match. Blaine, he got a major decision against a returning state placer.”

Lake City returns to action at a duals tournament at West Valley High on Saturday.

Post Falls competes in the Wild West duals tournament at Toppenish, Wash., on Saturday.

138 — Blaine Leonard, LC, md. Connor McCarroll, 10-2. 145 — Trey Smith, PF, p. Caden Dutra, 2:26. 152 — Seth Martin, PF, p. Nathan Booth, 5:02. 160 — John Rudebaugh, PF, p. Wyatt Matthews, 4:17. 170 — Matthew Duthie, PF, p. Landon Moore, 1:33. 182 — Garrett Leonard, LC, d. Keanyn DeGroat, 7-5. 195 — Gentry Smith, PF, by forfeit. 220 — Trevor Miller, PF, p. Gage Morgan, :22. 285 — Christopher Click, PF, p. Erik James, 1:00. 98 — Jared Wallace, PF, by forfeit. 106 — Isaiah Cramer, PF, by forfeit. 113 — Rider Seguine, PF, p. Zach Macdonald, 5:55. 120 — Ethan Wilson, PF, p. Josh Macdonald, :43. 126 — Zack Campbell, PF, md. Brycen Duboise, 12-2. 132 — Tyson Barnhart, PF, p. Jackson Duva, 3:34.