NIC ROUNDUP: NIC nearly knocks off ranked Montana State-Northern in wrestling opener
• WRESTLING
COEUR d’ALENE — It was a start.
An almost, really, really good start for the North Idaho College wrestling team.
NIC, with six freshmen in the lineup, finished tied 20-20 with Montana State-Northern, but lost the dual on a total match point criteria in the season opener on Saturday at Christianson Gymnasium.
“It was a really good showing by our guys,” NIC coach Derrick Booth said. “It was a really good test and I was proud of the way our guys competed.”
Elijah Cater, a freshman from Tacoma, opened the night with a win in 34 seconds for NIC at 125 pounds.
“He threw a cradle and really set the tone early,” Booth said. “The guys really fed off of it.”
Montana State-Northern is ranked seventh in the NAIA poll.
“We didn’t take it easy on them for sure,” Booth said. “We brought in a good team and kind of threw ourselves to the wolves. There’s also those first match jitters, if we cut weight the right way. All of it plays a factor in it.”
NIC returns to action Nov. 10 in a three-team dual with Ellsworth, Southeast and Iowa Falls in Iowa Falls.
125 — Elijah Cater, NIC, p. Kolten Powers, :34. 133 — Zach Lopez, NIC, tf. Leo Anderson, 17-2. 141 — Hunter Bidelman, d. Brennon McDermott, 10-3. 149 — Martin Wilkie, MSN, p. Evan Barajas, 5:09. 157 — Justin Windauer, MSN, d. Porter Craig, 10-3. 165 — Travis Waldner, NIC, d. Devin Crawford, 9-6. 174 — NaKoda Siegel, MSN, tf. Conan Northwind, 21-6. 184 — Rylin Burns, MSN, d. Noah Poe-Hatten, 11-7. 197 — Carl Hansen, MS, d. Bradley Whitright, 7-3. 285 — Tominiko Takafua, NIC, d. Gabe Walker, 4-1.
• VOLLEYBALL
North Idaho d.
Blue Mountain
PENDLETON, Ore. — Freshman Lilly Leidenfrost had six kills and six blocks for the Cardinals, who locked up the Northwest Athletic Conference East Region title with a 25-16, 25-15, 25-20 win over the Timberwolves.
“Lily did a really good job at the net and made sure she was an option offensively,” NIC coach Brittany Tilleman said. “The girls did a good job of getting in there, keeping our side clean and getting out.”
NIC (26-1, 14-0 NWAC) will host regional round matches of the NWAC Tournament Nov. 11-12. It is the second straight year NIC has hosted.
“Everyone has done a good job of being ready to go when they’ve had their opportunities,” Tilleman said. “It’s good to know that whoever is out there, we can still take care of business.”
Sophomore Abigail Beaton had six kills and three blocks, sophomore Rachael Stacey 10 digs and two aces, freshman Omayra Valle eight digs and four aces and freshman Karolyne Wolfgramm 23 assists and three blocks for NIC, which hosts the Community Colleges of Spokane on Wednesday.
Blue Mountain is 6-19, 4-10.