There’s no place like home. Region 18 wrestlers discovered that on the first day of the National Junior College Athletic Association national championships being contested at the Spokane Convention Center. A sizeable crowd watched as North Idaho secured five All-Americans, four of them semifinalists, and is in a spirited multi-team title challenge led by Region 18 rival Clackamas Community College. “It’s a typical national tournament,” said NIC coach Pat Whitcomb. “It’s a meat grinder, and (Friday) is a long, long day for the kids. All this does is set you up. (Today) is a new day.” Clackamas has five semifinalists, the most after one day of competition, and 68 points to the Cardinals’ 66.5. Last year’s top two finishers, Harper College from Illinois (61) and Iowa Central (63), are right behind and, like NIC, have four semifinalists/Mike Vlahovich, SR. More here. (SR photo/Colin Mulvany: In the 165 weight class, North Idaho College’s Jake Mason (in back) beat Lincoln’s Rick Goerke.)

Question: Were you aware that North Idaho College has won several national wrestling championships and has had a very good wrestling team for a long time?