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THE FRONT ROW with JASON ELLIOTT: These NIC wrestlers could be on to something

| January 28, 2023 1:20 AM

There’s a chance North Idaho College won’t win the NJCAA wrestling title this year.

Those are the breaks sometimes.

Going into the year, the Cardinals were unknown, with an interim coach and a team that might not have been among those viewed as a contender in October as the season began.

But, with a little momentum, this Cardinal team might have a lot to stay about who is standing on that podium early next month in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

HELPED BY not one, but two wins over No. 1 Clackamas of Oregon City, Ore., in dual matches this season, the Cardinals, who are ranked 10th, have the look of a team that could surprise some folks down the road.

“We’re at the top and pretty much ready to compete anywhere,” NIC sophomore Ethan Miller said. “We’re almost at their level now and we’re ready to compete and win it.”

Miller, a Post Falls High product, competed as a freshman at Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls, Iowa.

Miller was 0-2 at nationals last year.

Miller, along with former Trojans Lane Reardon and Ryan Graves all transferred from Ellsworth, where interim coach Derrick Booth, a 2010 Post Falls graduate, was an assistant last year. Isaiah Laguna, another Post Falls product, is still at Ellsworth.

Cooper Thomas, who competed at NIC during the 2015-16 season, is Booth’s assistant coach.

Graves also qualified for nationals in 2022, going 2-2.

The crowd for Friday’s match against Clackamas was well represented by Post Falls fans as well.

“It’s very exciting being here and knowing that it’s helping bring more of the community out,” Miller said. “It really means a lot to have everyone come out and show support for our program. It really makes a big difference.”

NIC 125-pounder Kobi Johnson, a freshman from Greeley, Colo., opened the night with a pin in 36 seconds as the Cardinals rolled past the Cougars 27-14.

“It’s definitely a confidence boost for me and the rest of the team,” said Johnson of the win. “We’ll hopefully get each weight from regionals back to nationals and see what we can do there.”

If nothing else, the fact that NIC only had two — yes two — home matches this season should give you the impression that the Cardinals are going to be more than battle tested, wherever the matches are held.

The West District Championships are scheduled for Feb. 12 at Clackamas Community College. Nationals are March 3-4 at the Mid-American Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

“Our guys should be confident now,” Booth said. “We should step onto the mat with some confidence. Clackamas is going to have to come through us now. It’s always been that way. We wear that N.I. on our chests with pride, and the kids know it.”

First-year Clackamas coach Brett Sanchez, who was an assistant for the Cougars for four seasons before previous coach Josh Rhoden took an assistant job at Oregon State, knows as well.

“NIC is definitely a storied program, with a great culture,” Sanchez said. “The history is here. We know the wrestlers are going to bring it and the crowd is going to as well. It’s a great atmosphere here for sure.”

THE ENERGY in Christianson Gymnasium as the Cardinals were closing out Clackamas was something you often see in the finals of the Tri-State Invitational high school tournament.

Fans and coaches alike hanging on each and every move, point and decision by the officials, something that had been missing on campus for a while.

“These guys are a joy to be around outside of the mat room,” Booth said. “The guys really enjoy traveling, wrestling together and are just feeding off each other. It’s been a great year, but the job’s not done yet. We’ve still got a ways to go. But each day, we’re getting better and better.”

Yeah, we've noticed.

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 jelliott@cdapress.com. Follow him on Twitter @JECdAPress.