Prep wrestling previews for area teams

Greater Spokane League

Mead is given the nod to capture the league championship over North Central, University and Central Valley. … Mt. Spokane, which finished second in the State 3A tournament, returns two state placers in Blake Haney (2nd, 106 pounds) and Jake Howerton (3rd, 120). “We have a young lineup,” coach Travis Hughes said. “It will be fun to watch them improve.” … Rogers brings back one state qualifier off one its best teams in a decade. Markus Robinson took fifth at heavyweight and should challenge for a state title. “We are a young team with a lot of physical athletes but not much experience,” coach Rod Tamura said. “We have lots of technique to cover, but they embrace the hard-nosed grind that we put them through.” … University returns its thinnest state experience in Terrill Sanders, who took eighth at 113. The Titans have eight other returners. “We have youth but are unproven,” coach Don Owen said. “We should be a good dual team but will struggle in big tournaments.” … Mead brings back three state placers – Chase Tebbitts (2nd, 106), Trevor Senn (3rd, 170) and Malachi Thompson (6th, 182). “We have a solid group top to bottom,” coach Phil McLean said. “Our depth is our strength. The key will be to get guys who just missed out on going to state last year on the (state) podium.” … North Central returns four state placers in Clayton Gilliam (2nd, 113), Clai Quintanilla (state champ, 126), Cameron Bowerman (8th, 145) and Bryan Wais (state champ, 152). “Our goal is to win another state title,” coach Luke Leifer said. “We have the firepower to do it, but as always a lot of things have to go our way.” Quintanilla is looking to become the first four-time state champ in GSL history. … Central Valley returns two state placers in Bridger Beard (2nd, 132) and Braedon Orrino (5th, 145). “This will generally be a difficult dual season,” coach Shaun Williams said. “We will be a better tournament team. Hopefully we can grow and come together.” … Ferris returns no state placers. “They’re working hard, but we don’t return much firepower,” coach Tim Owen said.

Great Northern League

In what should be a balanced league, Cheney is picked to win. … East Valley brings back three-time state placer Randy McDonald (3rd, 126). “We have several other wrestlers who look ready to compete hard and prove themselves,” coach Craig Hanson said. “The season will depend on how much the rest of the team steps up.” … Clarkston brings back two state placers – Spencer Clegg (5th, 120) and Jake Freeman (7th, 126). … West Valley returns Drake Ferguson, state champ at 152. … Back for Cheney is Broedy Taylor (4th, 170).

Northeast A League

State champ Deer Park and state runner-up Colville are picked to battle for the league championship. … Freeman brings back three state placers in Logan Holt (2nd, 106), Hunter Nees (5th, 113) and Brandon Iris (8th, 170). “We have low numbers out but have seven to eight kids that have a shot to get to Tacoma and battle for a spot on the podium,” coach Chad Ripke said. … Colville, a narrow state runner-up to the Stags, has put 10 in the state finals the last two years. The Indians return five state placers. They are Trevor Morrison (state champ, 106), Trent Baun (state champ, 113), TJ Baun (2nd, 120), John Knight (4th, 138) and Takota Ashley (5th, 160). Coach Randy Cloke knows the key to capturing a state title is back-door points. “We think we can have both this year,” Cloke said of state champs and consolation survivors. … Deer Park rode back-door points to a state title last year. The Stags bring back six state placers in Everett Pierce (5th, 106), Seth Hoog (3rd, 120), Ethan Newman (3rd, 132), Dean Lockwood (3rd, 152), Jared Boswell (8th, 195) and Gabe Sanchez (5th, hwt). “Our dual team lineup should compete well with several state vets and some solid kids who just missed out on the Tacoma Dome last year,” coach Matt Jorgensen said. “I also believe if everyone stays healthy the state championship could come from the NEA for a third straight year.” … Lakeside brings back five state placers, including the best wrestler in the state regardless of classification. Senior Dalton Young is 124-0 and moves up to 138 this year. He’s joined by Andrew Smith (8th, 120), Garrett Brown (state champ, 160) and Tim Jarrad (3rd, 220). Young signed with Stanford last month. “We have a strong senior class,” coach Bradley Perry said. “The seniors look to finish off their high school careers on a high note while some talented underclassmen help make a push for a team title.”

Idaho

Post Falls has a legitimate chance to capture a third straight State 5A championship. The Trojans return nine state placers. They are Ridge Lovett (state champ, 98), Jordan Grimm (2nd, 106), Alessio Lemmon (4th, 106), Mathias De La Rosa (2nd, 113), Matt McLeod (state champ, 120), Braydon Huber (2nd, 126), Jason Burchell (4th, 132), Wyatt Shelly (6th, 132) and Bradley Noesen (4th, 195). “The team has great potential to bring home another state trophy if they can stay healthy and progress throughout the season,” coach Pete Reardon said. … Coeur d’Alene returns two state placers in Alex Marshall (5th, 220) and Jake Krous (6th, 106). The Vikings welcome Casey Randles, a two-time state champ at Sandpoint, who moved to CdA when his father, former Sandpoint coach Mike Randles, took an assistant principal position at CdA. The younger Randles (182), 40-0 last year, is 122-11 overall. “If you would have asked me this time a month ago I would say we are a legitimate top-four team at state,” coach Jeff Moffat said. “Right now with the loss of a couple expected returners and some injuries to a couple starters we are a work in progress.” … Lakeland took second at the State 4A tourney last year and the Hawks will be in the hunt this winter. They return six state placers in Sam Edelblute (2nd, 98), Chandler Axtell (4th, 113), William Edelblute (2nd, 113), Brian Edelblute (2nd, 126), Larry Johnson (state champ, 138) and Jared Walker (state champ, 182). “We’re still fairly young, but we have some very experienced wrestlers,” coach Rob Edelblute said. … Moscow returns two state placers in Pearce Riendeau (6th, 106) and Britton Needham (6th, 120). “We had a good turnout,” first-year coach Pat Amos said. “We are still a young team but we return all of our state qualifiers and placers from last year.” … In 3A, Kellogg returns two state placers in Tanner Figueroa (4th, 132) and Jesse Campbell (6th, 113). “We have a very young team after losing eight seniors from last year’s team,” coach Scott Miller said. “The group should improve as the year goes on but will need some seasoning.” … Bonners Ferry brings back one state placer in Tyler Beazer (4th, 106). Coach Conrad Garner expects improvement throughout his lineup. … Timberlake returns one state placer from two years ago in Noah Herbert. “Our team will take some time to develop,” coach Kelly Amos said. “We might not be at full strength until January when we get everyone in the correct weight class and have our younger guys ready to wrestle at the high school level.”