Nic Wins Region 18 Wrestling Tournament

Although they were the No. 1-ranked NJCAA team in the country, the North Idaho College wrestling team was going into the Region 18 Tournament in Rexburg, Idaho, without a returning placer.

Apparently experience isn’t always the key to victory because NIC won its 18th title in the last 19 years.

NIC crowned seven regional champs and had a second-place finisher to total 117.50 points, outdistancing host Ricks College (80) on Friday.

North Idaho was led by 158-pounder Mark Janke, who was named the tournament’s outstanding wrestler. The former Moses Lake High School star scored a 16-6 major decision over Jared Novak of Yakima Valley.

NIC’s Dan Vega avenged an earlier loss to Johnson Webb of Ricks to claim the 118-pound title.

Jesse Schaeffer (126) won a close 9-8 decision over Jeremy Vath of Colorado Northwestern College.

The Cardinals didn’t qualify another wrestler until 150 when Josh Morton started a run of six straight competitors in the finals. Morton won a 5-3 decision over Jared Pierson of Highline Community College.

Jason Moaney followed Janke’s win at 158 with a 12-7 decision over Kris West of Ricks. The tournament concluded with a surprise win for heavyweight Aaron McArthur, who defeated Tyler Prawitt after losing to the Ricks’ wrestler two weeks ago.

Junior hockey

Beaver Valley beat visiting Spokane 5-3 in a KIJHL game. Darin Talotti, Mike Brunette and Lavon Dastegyan all scored for the Braves.

, DataTimes MEMO: Changed from the Idaho edition