Sandpoint Wrestlers Dominate All-Star Team

How much longer can the Sandpoint High School wrestling team dominate the State A-1 ranks?

At least one more year, perhaps longer.

The Bulldogs’ dominance is wellrepresented on The Spokesman-Review All-North Idaho Team.

The two-time State A-1 champion Bulldogs placed four wrestlers, three of whom were state champions, on the All-North Idaho first team.

And all four Bulldogs - freshman Jared Lawrence (103 pounds), sophomore Shawn Garner (112), junior Brett Lawrence (119) and sophomore Pat Larson (140) - return next year.

Sandpoint returns 13 of 15 state qualifiers next year.

“There’s plenty more to come; we’ll be better,” Sandpoint coach Dan Taylor said.

Joining the Bulldogs on the first team are: Lewiston senior Pat Clevenger (125), Lewiston junior Billy Greene (130), Post Falls senior Ben Frank (135), Lakeland sophomore Nathan Pascoe (145), Moscow senior Tony Matson (152), Bonners Ferry junior Justin Pluid (171), Coeur d’Alene senior Matt Butkovich (189) and CdA senior Josh Curran (heavyweight).

Six state champions were voted to the team by the region’s coaches.Kellogg coach Shawn Amos edged Sandpoint’s Dan Taylor for the coach of the year. Amos was accorded the honor despite not having a wrestler named to either the AllNorth Idaho first or second teams.

That doesn’t mean Amos didn’t have some quality wrestlers. The Wildcats may not have had a state champion but they had enough depth to pull off a minor surprise by winning their district tournament.

The Lawrence brothers and Clauson posted undefeated season. Jared went 30-0, Brett captured a third straight state title by going 33-0 and University of Wisconsin-bound Clauson finished 29-0.

Clauson’s state final was possibly the most entertaining title match of all. He trailed 8-3 late in the second period, but rallied late in the third for a 15-12 win.

Other state champions were Larson (33-3), Green (30-4), who defeated the top-seeded wrestlers in his final two matches, and Pluid (32-1), who dedicated his title to the memory of friend and rival Lakeland junior John Neff, who died during the season.

Runner-up finishers included Clevenger (32-2), Frank (35-5), Matson (34-5) and Curran (25-4).

Garner (27-2) and Pascoe (25-4) earned bronze medals, while Butkovich (24-7) placed fourth.

Named to the second team were: Brad Haney of Lakeland (103); Zack Vaughan of Sandpoint (112); Carson Hundrup of Lewiston (119); Travis Carter of Sandpoint (125); Trevor Walkington of Sandpoint (130); Jason Benner of Lewiston (135); Shawn Gust of Lake City and Ben Schilling of St. Maries (140); Clayton Foster of Post Falls (145); Mike Booth of Post Falls (152); Michael LaBau of Wallace (160); Neff and Trevor Derrick of Lewiston (171); Laki Ahhi of Lewiston (189); and Kyle Watts of Bonners Ferry (Hwt.).

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: CREAM OF THE CROP The All-North Idaho wrestling first team: 103: Jared Lawrence Sandpoint, Fr. 112: Shawn Garner Sandpoint, So. 119: Brett Lawrence Sandpoint, Jr. 125: Pat Clevenger Lewiston, Sr. 130: Billy Greene Lewiston, Jr. 135: Ben Frank Post Falls, Sr. 140: Pat Larson Sandpoint, So. 145: Nathan Pascoe Lakeland, So. 152: Tony Matson Moscow, Sr. 160: Kole Clauson Lakeland, Sr. 171: Justin Pluid Bonners Ferry, Jr. 189: Matt Butkovich Coeur d’Alene, Sr. Hwt.: Josh Curran Coeur d’Alene, Sr. Coach of year: Shawn Amos, Kellogg