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

Tri-State tourney boasts superb field

It’s been said so often about the Tri-State wrestling tournament that it’s become cliché.

The fact of the matter is, though, the 37th annual tourney, which will be held Friday and Saturday at North Idaho College, should be tougher this year than most state tournaments in Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Montana.

Consider this handful of teams: Lake Stevens, the two-time Washington State 4A champ; Hermiston, the two-time 5A Oregon state champ which is coming off a third straight victory at the Inland Empire Classic at Central Valley; Deer Park, the defending State 2A champ; Lakeside of Nine Mile Falls, the reigning State 1A champ; and Flathead of Kalispell, the three-time AA (largest classification) state champ.

It’s rare that a team cruises to a title at the traditionally power-packed tourney. This is expected to be one of those uncommon years. Lake Stevens is favored and could win by a handsome margin.

Flathead posted a convincing win last year, piling up 208 points. Lake Stevens, a three-time Tri-State winner, was second (155), Lakeside was one-half point back in third and Deer Park took fourth (115). University (104.5) was the highest-placing Greater Spokane League team and Lewiston, the highest-placing Idaho team, took sixth (102.5).

LS coach Brent Barnes didn’t deny that he’s bringing a solid team.

“We’re just a bunch of journeymen,” said Barnes, whose team is predicted to win a third consecutive state title. “I don’t know if we have any superstars, but we have a lot of kids who work hard.”

LS returned two state champs and five other state placers. Six were Tri-State placers last year.

Flathead is expected to make a run at a fourth straight state title. Although the Braves lost several key contributors to graduation, the cupboard is far from bare.

“It’s not the same team as last year,” first-year Flathead coach Matt Owen said. “But we have the kind of team that could do well. If we’re on, we have a shot.”

If the name Owen sounds familiar, it should. He’s from the famous Owen brothers coaching tree. Of 12 nephews, two are in their first years as head high school coaches.

Five individual champs return. They are Ben Jorgensen of Hermiston (103 pounds last year, at 119 this year), Kyle McCrite of Lakeland (119/125), Derek Garcia of Sedro Woolley (140/152), Taylor Meeks of Orting (160/171) and Reid Chivers (189), formerly of Lakeside, who is now at Bellingham.

Wrestling begins Friday morning at 10 and quarterfinals are set for 7 p.m. On Saturday, the semifinals are at noon, finals at 5 p.m.

Admission prices have been changed. The tournament has been divided into three paid sessions. An all-sessions adult pass is $20 and $10 for seniors and students. Single-session prices are $10 for adults and $7 for seniors and students.

Fight for the Fish

The 11th annual spirit doubleheader between the Coeur d’Alene and Lake City boys and girls basketball teams is Friday. It’s Lake City’s turn to host.

The girls tip off at 5:45, followed by the boys at 7:45. Tickets are available at both schools from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. today and Friday. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for students. No booster club passes are honored for the doubleheader.

LC’s boys lead the series 8-2 and LC’s girls lead the series 5-4 (the girls started playing one year later). LC also leads the spirit competition 6-4. The school deemed to display the most spirit wins the coveted Fish trophy – a 42-inch wooden rainbow trout.

Jim Winger, who is in his first year in his second stint as head boys coach at LC, is looking forward to the non-league game. He’s 5-0 in the series.

“I can understand why some coaches don’t like the game,” Winger said. “It’s a novelty and it can trivialize the game. But even with all of those things in consideration, you have to understand you’re getting most of your school involved in the (doubleheader). It promotes all the right things. It’s a great experience for everybody involved.”