Central Valley, Sandpoint Set Pace At Tri-State

Central Valley and Sandpoint lead the field entering the final day of the Tri-State high school wrestling tournament.

After Friday’s quarterfinals at North Idaho College’s Christianson Gym, CV has just one wrestler in today’s semifinals, but 10 others in the consolation bracket while Sandpoint advanced three to the semifinals.

After Friday’s quarterfinals and a few late consolation results, CV was ahead with 70.5 points. Sandpoint followed at 68. Still in the chase are Meridian (Idaho) with 64.5 and La Grande (Ore.) at 63.5. Polson (Mont.) and Lake Stevens (Wash.) were tied at 61.

The semifinals begin today at 12:15 p.m. Consolation action resumes at 8:20 a.m. The championship finals will be held at 6 p.m.

Shane Cunanan of CV easily handled Casey Hunt of Pendelton, Ore., 9-2 to carry the Bears’ banner into the semifinals at 125 pounds.

Sandpoint’s Jared Lawrence (119), Zack Vaughan (125) and Pat Larson (152) give the Bulldogs hope of capturing their first Tri-State championship. Defending champion La Grande and runner-up Polson each pushed four into the semifinals. North Idaho teams Lakeland and Priest River put two each into the semis, as did Gonzaga Prep and Meridian.

Team for the ages

Tri-State Tournament director Bill Pecha wanted to do something special in honor of the 25th anniversary of the prestigious tournament.

So on a day that was already loaded with last-minute preparations, Pecha picked an all-time tournament team.

The tourney has featured so many outstanding wrestlers that Pecha had to choose two at each weight. He listed the team in the tournament program.

Here’s a look at the team, weight by weight, with a little biographical information on each wrestler.

103 - Glen Jarrett of Big Sky (Missoula). Three-time Tri-State champ (1980-83). Terry Hirata of Lewis and Clark. Two-time champ (‘75, ‘77).

112 - Jamie Wise of Moses Lake. Three-time champ (‘77-‘79). Coach at Issaquah (Wash.) High. Robert Ho of Meridian, Idaho. Three-time champ (‘87-‘90).

119 - Randy Schimmel of Pendleton, Ore. Two-time champ (‘80-‘81). Tourney cancelled because of lack of sanction his senior year. Carl Zamora of Moses Lake. Two-time champion (‘84-‘85). Wrestled at Utah State.

125 - Roger Jore of Ronan, Mont. Two-time champ (‘74-‘75) and outstanding wrestler of tourney. Brett Lawrence of Sandpoint. Three-time champ (‘93-‘95). Four-time state champ now at Minnesota.

130 - Zac Taylor of Sandpoint. Three-time champ (‘89-‘92). Now at Minnesota. Jim Northcutt of Hoquiam, Wash. Two-time champ (‘74-75).

135 - Dusty Roberts of University. Three-time champ (‘92-‘94). Now at Oregon. Don Tripp of Sentinel (Missoula). Three-time state champ.

140 - Chris Pratt of Meridian, Idaho. Two-time champ (‘84-‘85). Mingo Deleon of Moses Lake. Outstanding wrestler (‘77) and two-time Washington state champ.

145 - Don Owen of Sentinel (Missoula). Two-time champ (‘74-‘75). Head coach at University. Mark Janke of Moses Lake. Three-time champ (‘89-‘92). Now at North Idaho College.

152 - Bob Presta of Sentinel (Missoula). Three-time champ (‘91-‘94) and outstanding wrestler. Steve Kluver of Sandpoint. Outstanding wrestler in ‘81 and national champion at NIC.

160 - Kole Clauson of Lakeland. Two-time champ (‘93-‘94) and outstanding wrestler. Now at Wisconsin. Greg Snyder of Libby, Mont. Two-time champ (‘78-‘90).

171 - Mick Cheff of Ronan, Mont. Two-time champ (‘83-‘86) and national college champ. Otto Olsen of Everett, Wash. Champ last year. Now at Michigan.

189 - Terry Maki of Libby, Mont. Three-time champ (‘79-‘81). Jim Darlington of Ronan, Mont. Two-time champ (‘74-‘76) and four-time state champ. Wrestled collegiately at Oklahoma.

Heavyweight - Matt Willhite of Lewis and Clark. Two-time champ (‘86-‘87). Wrestled at Oregon State. Burt Beamer of Post Falls. Two-time champ (‘92-‘93). Now at Northern Iowa.

, DataTimes MEMO: Changed from the Idaho edition