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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Anything To Draw Crowd To Nic Matches

North Idaho College coach John Owen isn’t interested in starting a women’s wrestling program. But he will do almost anything to draw a crowd. His latest gimmick features an exhibition match Friday between two top female amateur wrestlers.

Owen hopes people will attend NIC’s match against perennial NAIA power Simon Fraser on Friday just to see the exhibition.

Canadian women’s national champion Spring Johnson and U.S. Women’s Open placer Shannon Duncan will square off during an intermission in the Friday dual at Christianson Gymnasium. Each wrestler weighs about 136 pounds, Owen said.

Johnson placed fifth at the women’s world championships last year, and Duncan, a 15-year-old freshman at Richland (Wash.) High School, was third at the Open.

Owen said Johnson narrowly defeated Duncan in a previous match.

NIC finishes its home dual season with matches tonight against Western Montana College and Friday’s meeting with Simon Fraser.

Western Montana finished tied for the NAIA national championship last year. Simon Fraser was the national champion the year before.

Admission to each match, which start at 7:30 p.m. both nights, is $3 for adults, $2 for students.

The Cardinals (16-0) have won 36 consecutive duals, and beat WMC and Simon Fraser this season.