North Idaho College wrestlers second at regionals

COOS BAY, Ore. – Finishing with three regional champions out of six finalists, the North Idaho wrestling team may have lost its No. 1 ranking, but the Cardinals will be well-represented at the upcoming NJCAA National Championships in Spokane.

Kyle McCrite (125 pounds), Jeremy Bommarito (157) and Jamelle Jones (197) each won titles to lead NIC to a second-place finish at the Region 18 tournament Saturday.

Second-ranked Clackamas won the tournament with 104.5 points, while NIC tallied 92.5 and Highline 69.

With their region hosting the national meet, the Cardinals and Clackamas will each send 10 wrestlers to compete Feb. 24-25 at the Spokane Convention Center.

Jones, who won a 12-5 decision against Bo Younker of Southwest Oregon, led the way for the Cardinals.

McCrite and Bommarito each beat higher-ranked opponents in the their title matches.

“All three wrestled really well this weekend,” NIC coach Pat Whitcomb said. “Coos Bay is a long way away and they all put out a good effort to set themselves up for nationals.”

McCrite, who dropped from No. 1 to No. 3 in the national rankings this season, shut out Highline’s Steven Romero 1-0 before Bommarito completed a 2-0 decision against Eric Jones of HCC.