THE FRONT ROW with JASON ELLIOTT: Goals well within their reach

It was a little earlier this year for high school wrestling programs. 

But don’t think there was more than a few things taken away from last weekend’s Tri-State Invitational on the campus of North Idaho College. 

For years, coaches and athletes have turned what happens in a handful of matches into bulletin board material for getting better, when things get serious in February. 

OF THE five local wrestlers that advanced to Saturday’s finals, four came away with championships, three of them — Coeur d’Alene’s Brock Armstrong (165 pounds), Lake City’s Garrett Leonard (215) and Lakeland’s Zach Teal (98) — winning for the first time. 

Post Falls senior Seth Martin won the 190-pound title match against Sandpoint’s Jorden Tyler, his second straight title. 

Coeur d’Alene’s Gabe Larsen was runner-up at 157. Nothing to be ashamed of for him, as that winner — Quentin Harding of Orting — won for the third time at the tournament. 

Larsen went 1-2 at the state tournament last February in Pocatello. 

“I’m really looking forward to state and all of those big tournaments coming up,” said Larsen, whose next big challenge will come at the Rollie Lane Invitational at the Ford Idaho Center in Nampa Jan. 3-4. “It’s just one match at a time at this point. This match is behind me now and it’s onto bigger and better things.” 

Larsen has a 4.3 grade point average and intends to study to become a biomedical engineer in college. 

“I’m not really sure right now, but I want to study something like that,” Larsen said. “It’s always something that has interested me.” 

Armstrong, sixth at Tri-State in 2023, was wrestling with a headband on to protect an ear injury suffered during the tournament. 

“It feels good to win this tournament,” Armstrong said. “But I’ll be right back to work and trying to get better each day.” 

As for the headband, Armstrong added he’ll be just fine. 

“Wrestling is a sport where you’re going to have some injuries,” Armstrong said. “I don’t look past that and am thankful I was able to finish strong.” 

OF THE locals in the finals, the closest match was contested by Leonard, who led Mead’s Braeden Harvey 4-2 late in their final. 

With a few moments remaining in the match, Leonard took down Harvey, with the two landing on the gym floor at Christianson Gymnasium. 

Neither wrestler was hurt, but Harvey was given a point to cut the deficit to 4-3. 

“It was a close call,” Lake City coach Corey Owen said. “But Garrett kept his cool and finished the match. He really deserved to be the champion this weekend.” 

Lake City seniors Nathan Booth (175) and Sebastian Mosman (285) were fifth in the tournament, which finished 14th. 

“To see all three of those seniors finish on a high note was great to see,” Owen said. “You’ve got four guys that kill themselves for you for four yeras, and you really want the best for them. Garrett, I’ve coached since he was in the third grade, so I’ve got a really great relationship with him. I’m so proud of him and the wrestler he’s become.” 

And to Leonard, the fact he’s the first Tri-State champion from Lake City isn’t lost on him either. 

“We’ve had so many great wrestlers that have came here and not won,” Leonard said. “It’s great to be the first. I’m very proud to be a T-Wolf.” 

As for what’s next for Leonard, that’s anyone’s guess. 

“I don’t know if I want to play football or wrestle, so I’m keeping my options open right now,” Leonard said. “I just need to carry this momentum into each and every match from here on out. Starting and finishing the season undefeated is the biggest thing on my mind, and winning the state title is my goal right now.” 

And for those guys that didn't place at Tri-State, the work to get to those goals continues.

Even when it seems nobody's watching the next few weeks.

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.