Vikings qualify 17 for state tourney
RATHDRUM – Success at the Idaho state tournament is all about numbers; just ask Coeur d’Alene coach Jeff Moffat. A year ago, the Vikings placed nine at the state tournament and finished fifth.
This year, the Vikings will try to top that mark with 17 wrestlers qualifying for state after winning the Region I-II district tournament Saturday at Lakeland High School.
CdA scored 318.5 points with eight wrestlers finishing in the top spot in their respective weight classes. Finishing a distant second in the tournament was Post Falls (269.5), with Lewiston (196.5) and Lake City (79.0) taking third and fourth.
“I can’t think of one kid that didn’t wrestle his rear-end off for this tournament,” Moffat said. “We just wrestled hard and competed hard and it was nice to see. Guys are excited to wrestle and that is the main thing.”
Host Lakeland advanced 11 to state, taking first in the 4A district tournament with 279 points, while Priest River narrowly dodged Bonners Ferry in the 3A Region I-II tournament 225.0 to 210.5 while qualifying 12 for state.
5A
Of CdA’s eight district champions, only three are seniors. And for senior Kevin Moore (171 pounds), the trip to Holt Arena in Pocatello may seem sweeter than for most.
In 2008, Moore made the field at the state tournament as a sophomore, but had his junior season derailed with a knee injury that held him out of all postseason action.
With Friday and Saturday’s district tournament being his last chance to make a run at a state title, Moore said his focus level was higher than it has ever been, as evidenced by his first-round pinfall of Lake City’s Brian Griswold in the district title match.
“This meant a lot to me to prove that I could come back and do it,” said Moore, who’s title bout lasted 1:01. “It was a lot more intense for me … Now I just have to get myself mentally prepared and do the best I can (at state).”
One match that could be a preview of the state tournament championship, according to Moffat, came at 135 pounds between Lewiston’s Casey George and the Vikings’ Braden Mowry.
On Saturday their match went to George in a 1-0 decision, but both wrestlers have a pair of state titles under their belts heading into this year’s tournament.
4A
With Lakeland and Moscow each wrestling 11 in the championship round of the district tournament – each wrapping up six district titles – the 4A team title came down to those who would not be advancing to state.
Seven Hawks wrestlers took third place, while Moscow only placed a pair in third. That difference helped give the Hawks the 49-point edge in the team scoring.
Four-time district champion Brandon Richardson ensured a team title for Lakeland winning his final match by major decision with a 17-4 victory over Moscow’s Erik McCall.
“This was a great tune-up before state, it’s a great atmosphere,” said Richardson, who will be looking for his second state title in Pocatello. “This year has been an eye-opener for me and I want to push myself as far as I can go to see if I can reach my personal goal of a state title.”
3A
Heading into the final round of districts, Priest River seemed like it would win going away, leading by 41.5 points over Bonners Ferry.
That lead quickly evaporated though, as the Spartans fell in their five title matches and BF capitalized with five titles and two runners-up.
The push was not enough to overtake PR, but taking that success with them to state will give them plenty of momentum, according to junior Isaiah Grey.
“To have a full team, it’s a big boost and helps everyone in their matches,” said Grey, one of 10 Badger wrestlers advancing to state.
Grey won the 145-pound title with an 8-7 decision over Kellogg’s Zack Pickering, earning an escape and a takedown in the final minute to build a two-point lead. He then narrowly avoided a reversal as time expired to hold on for the victory.