Post Falls’ Booth, Frank Aim For Top In A-1 Wrestling

Seniors Mike Booth and Ben Frank are honored to be seeded second in their respective weight classes as they open the State A-1 wrestling tournament today.

Now they want to prove they’re at least worthy of silver medals, though they both have their eyes on a medal of more value - gold.

“I’d rather be a No. 2 (seed) than a No. 1 because a lot of the No. 1 seeds don’t win a state tournament,” Booth said.

The Post Falls duo joins 622 other wrestlers as the State A-1, A-2 and A-3 tournaments begin a three-day run this afternoon at the University of Idaho’s Kibbie Dome in Moscow.

If one of the Trojans has better odds at winning a state championship than the other it would be Frank, a 135-pounder. Frank is 32-4 and has yet to lose to an Idaho opponent this season.

Frank could have been seeded No. 1. Receiving top billing is Eric Rogers of Nampa, a junior who is 25-1. Rogers placed second at 112 last year.

The weight is deep with state experience, as four other state placers join Frank and Rogers.

What Frank must battle is nerves. He grew sick at regionals last year and had to default out of the tournament. So his last trip to a state tourney was two years ago as a sophomore in Custer, S.D.

Post Falls coach Dennis Amende doesn’t expect nerves to bother Frank, though.

“He would have placed at state last year,” said Amende of Frank, who is 61-9 in two years at Post Falls. “He’s extremely talented on his feet. He never wrestles out of control.”

Frank has had a lot of one- or two-point decisions in which, Amende said, “he’s dominated, but the score doesn’t show it.”

Frank has approached this season seeking to redeem himself.

But he started slowly.

“At the beginning of the year I wasn’t into it mentally,” he said. “My finish at Tri-State (sixth) inspired me because I lost to a couple of guys I should have beat. I’ve turned the intensity up since then.”

Amende said Frank’s biggest stride over last year is something less measurable than physical improvement.

“His improvement has been in mat sense,” Amende said. “He doesn’t panic when he gets himself in nasty situations. Before he’d get behind and lose.”

The route to gold could be much more difficult for Booth, who takes a 26-5 mark to Moscow.

Seeded No. 1 on the opposite side of Booth is defending champion Pat Owens of Idaho Falls (22-1).

Booth, who finished fifth at 140 last year and fifth at 130 the year before, will be at a strength disadvantage against most of his opponents. At 6 feet, he’s a string bean compared to his foes.

“He may not have all the tools, but he’s always in control,” Amende said. “He’s been one of the hardest workers in our (practice) room. In clutch situations he gets things going. He’s been the most clutch wrestler I’ve had. He finds a way to win.”

Booth is an example of the type of wrestlers Amende has worked with the past five years at Post Falls.

“He’s physically not as gifted, but he’s made himself a fine wrestler,” Amende said.

Frank best summed up the wrestlers’ approach at state.

“I’m going to have to earn whatever I get,” Frank said. “I can’t worry too much about any one match. I’ve just got to keep my head and work my stuff.”

Interestingly, both wrestlers credit uncles who enjoyed respectable high school careers for encouraging them to try the the sport at early ages.

Come Saturday the Trojan wrestlers hope to have something to show their future nephews.