THE FRONT ROW WITH JASON ELLIOTT: A few bumps, but golden kids

Wrestling is one of those sports where you’ve got to be tough, determined and able to take a lot of punishment.

But is it really worth it?

Just ask a few of our area state high school champions from last weekend’s tournaments at Holt Arena in Pocatello.

Sure, they’re probably bruised and beaten up now, but to finish at the top of their weight class, it was earned.

IN THE case of Rylan Rogers, the Michigan-bound senior from Coeur d’Alene, his second straight 5A title came after competing at Blair Academy in New Jersey as a sophomore.

“For me, this year was a really good experience,” Rogers said. “It’s been a good year to get back on track. I had a chance to be a part of the top team in the nation, and the top team in the state here. It’s been really cool to be part of a team.”

And Rogers was always willing to help his teammates along the way.

“It’s been really cool to be a part of a team,” Rogers said. “This year specifically, it’s been nice to see the other guys progress and see a few of these kids finish as state placers. It’s been cool.”

Coeur d’Alene fell short of the program’s first 5A title since 2011, finishing nine points behind repeat champion Meridian.

“Everyone was picking us to lose by 100,” Rogers said. “We did everything we could and it was really cool to see us battle all weekend. To see Porter (Craig) get a pin in the finals was awesome.”

For Craig, he didn’t get this chance as a junior at Camas High, as Washington did not hold a state wrestling tournament.

“He’s just a tough kid,” said Coeur d’Alene coach Jeff Moffat, whose team also qualified Mason Keough at 145 pounds for state. “He’s in the same weight as Mason and did a great job. Porter has a motor on him and knows how to wrestle. He just caught the kid sitting on his rear end and got a win.”

Keough finished fourth for Coeur d’Alene.

Coeur d’Alene junior Alyssa Randles, in the first girls tournament sponsored by the Idaho High School Activities Association, won her third state title with a pin 2:45 into the 126-pound championship.

In the previous two years, the girls tournament was held as an invitational in Pocatello.

“It was fun to be able to compete with the boys on my team,” Randles said. “Being in the same arena just made it all the more fun. They’re always supportive. Whether I’m wrestling the boys or girls, they’ve always got my back.”

BELIEVE IT or not, Lake City junior Zach Macdonald hadn’t wrestled before his freshman year. As a sophomore, he finished runner-up at 98 pounds. As a junior, he’s the 106-pound champion.

“He’s just a tremendous competitor and athlete,” Lake City coach Corey Owen said. “To make those gains is just incredible.”

After winning his match, Macdonald did a back flip, then found Owen immediately after.

“He told me he was super proud of me,” Macdonald said. “He told me ‘I’m super proud of you buddy.’ It felt great.”

Post Falls freshman Rider Seguine capped his first state tournament with a title at 98-pounds.

“I just went into the finals confident in myself and believed I could do it,” Seguine said. “It feels amazing.”

Seguine was the lone finalist for the Trojans, who finished third.

“We were all rooting for each other,” Seguine said. “Every time one of us had a match, all of us were there rooting for the other guy. It was an amazing feeling.”

Maybe Moffat summed it up best.

“People don’t realize how long and grueling the season is,” Moffat said. “Nobody said it’s going to be easy, but it’s well worth it. We’re excited for all those kids that got on the podium.”

And I’m sure a week later, so are they.

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