Inland Empire

In predicted order of regional finish:

SANDPOINT BULLDOGS

1994-95 record: 8-0, regional champion, State A-1 champion

Coach: Dan Taylor

Years coaching: 4

Top returners: Jared Lawrence, so., 112; Zach Vaughan, jr., 119; Brett Lawrence, sr., 125; Shawn Garner, jr., 130; Brandon Larson, jr., 130; Travis Carter, jr., 130; Trevor Walkington, sr., 135, sr.; Beau Crawford, sr., 140; Randy Patrick, sr., 145; Pat Larson, jr., 160; A.J. Chubb, so., 160; Jarad Vasquez, jr., heavyweight.

Newcomers: Cody Crawford, so., 119; Joe Tuinstra, so., 152.

Coach’s comment: “We have the ability to be three-time state champs. But we have to focus more than ever this year because everybody expects it.”

Outlook: State high school officials might as well mail the state championship trophy to Sandpoint. It’s not a question if Sandpoint will win, but by how much. The Lawrences posted undefeated seasons last year (Brett 33-0, Jared 30-0) and should roll through area and state opponents. Sandpoint has three solid wrestlers at 130 and one will have to move up or down by season’s end.

LEWISTON BENGALS

1994-95 record: 14-1, second at regional

Coach: Dave Harrington

Years coaching: 11

Top returners: Travis Beck, sr., 112-119; Brandon Wilson, sr., 119; Billy Greene, sr., 135-140; J.J. Adkisson, sr., 140-145; Luke Blewett, jr., 145-152; Laki Ah Hi, jr., 189.

Newcomers: Travis Swam, jr., 125; J.D. Swearingen, sr., 152.

Coach’s comment: “It’s the thinnest I’ve ever been as far as returners. We graduated seven seniors out of the lineup, and we won’t start more than three seniors.”

Outlook: Lewiston will place high in bigger tournaments like state, but will struggle in smaller tournaments and duals, Harrington said. Ah Hi was ranked No. 1 in the state last year when his season ended with a broken wrist a week before regionals. In fact, the injury probably cost the Bengals a regional title. Harrington has built a respected program and that tradition will surface by end of season.

POST FALLS TROJANS

1994-95 record: 7-10, third at regional

Coach: Dennis Amende

Years coaching: 6

Top returners: Al Mack, so., 103; Chris Booth, jr., 119; Bryan Roberts, jr., 160; Esteban Arana, sr., hvy; Matt Smith, so., hvy.

Newcomers: David Neu, so., 135; Kelly Moore, sr., 145; Justin Mecham, so., 189

Coach’s comment: “We’re young, but our sophomores are as good as any sophomores I’ve had. We’ll get nothing but better. We’re going to take our lumps, but I’d much rather be young and do poorly than old and do poorly.”

Outlook: Graduation hit the Trojans hardest of all in the IEL. Still, if Amende’s youngsters mature the Trojans could create some problems by regionals. Amende has built a respectable program. A word of caution to those who might suspect Post Falls will be down.

COEUR D’ALENE VIKINGS

1994-95 record: 3-11, fourth at regional

Coach: Pat Corbett

Years coaching: 2, first at CdA

Top returners: Troy Hughes, so., 119; Paul Weseman, sr., 140; Ben Fox, so., 145; Ben Smith, sr., 152; Dusty Gatten, jr., 160.

Newcomers: Al Ramirez, so., 130; Nick Primer, jr., 171; Eli Daly, sr., 189; Jason Glynn, sr., hvy.

Coach’s comment: “We’ve got some good athletes, but we need some mat time. If the kids stick with it we should be able to hang with anyone by the end of the year.”

Outlook: Corbett, CdA’s weight-training coordinator, is the third Viks coach in three years. But he plans to stay around a while and build a program. As an assistant football coach, Corbett has persuaded several football players to turn out. The Viks will battle with Lake City to see which CdA team avoids finishing last at regionals. Gatten was a state qualifier last year and Weseman qualified for state the year before.

LAKE CITY TIMBERWOLVES

1994-95 record: 1-16, fifth at regional

Coach: Pat Whitcomb

Years coaching: 5, second at LC

Top returners: Sean Haler, so., 112; Brian Landers, so., 119; John Conner, sr., 189.

Newcomers: Cody Persling, so., 145; Ben Orsua, so., 152.

Coach’s comment: “We’re ahead of where we were last year, but we’re still teaching things that are usually already taught. We’re really encouraged by the turnout.”

Outlook: Whitcomb will still measure success in baby steps this year - though the Timberwolves won’t be as inexperienced as last year. About 40 turned out (28 are sophomores and freshmen), and that’s double last year’s numbers. Whitcomb has set a goal of qualifying as many as eight to state after advancing two last season. Conner, Haler and Landers should be among those qualifiers. Conner earned LC’s first ever state medal last year.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Wrestlers to watch Brett Lawrence, senior, 125 pounds, Sandpoint, seeking to become only second A-1 wrestler to win four state titles Jared Lawrence, sophomore, 112, Sandpoint, Brett’s brother and state champion at 103 last year Pat Larson, junior, 160, Sandpoint, two-time state champion moves up three weight classes Billy Greene, senior, 135-140, Lewiston, captured state title at 130 last year Laki Ah Hi, junior, 189, Lewiston, fourth at state as freshman after season cut short by injury last year John Conner, senior, 189, Lake City, made history as school’s first state placer last year (sixth) Al Mack, sophomore, 103, Post Falls, could contend for regional title and state medal Shawn Garner, junior, 130, Sandpoint, state champ at 103 as freshman and runner-up at 112 last year