Intermountain

In predicted order of district finish:

BONNERS FERRY BADGERS

1994-95 record: 2-3 in IML

Coach: Conrad Garner

Years coaching: 10

Top returners: Doug Elliston, junior, 125; Dennis Liermann, sr., 140; Duane Pennock, sr., 140; Justin Pluid, senior, 189; Kyle Watts, sr., heavyweight.

Newcomers: Derrick Barnhardt, sophomore, 119-125; Todd Van Gundy, jr., 160; Johnny Cowin, jr., 135; Kenny Corsi, sr., 152; Casey Johnson, sr., 171; Larry Falcon, sr., 171.

Coach’s comment: “It’s a definite we-want-to-win attitude, but they also know for duals we have to win some of those first lower-weight matches, so it’s not always up to those seniors up top.”

Outlook: The Badgers’ success hinges on development of 103-, 112- and 119-pounders. Pluid is the lone returning IML state champion and moves up one weight and Liermann is a three-time state placer. “I’ve been with these seniors since their second-grade year,” Garner said. “They’ve worked pretty hard.” Buoyed by 20 returners in a turnout of 30, Bonners Ferry could make its first serious run at the district title since finishing second in 1990-91. “That team was pretty young; the next year they all returned, but I didn’t have the first three weights and had to forfeit. When you have that many seniors in the room (now), it gives you a different atmosphere, especially talented seniors.”

KELLOGG WILDCATS

1994-95 record: 4-1, District I-II champion

Coach: Todd Jackson

Years coaching: 1st

Top returners: Mike Storey, sr., 119; Jeremie Figueroa, sr., 125; Matt Maciosek, sr., 130; Jay Waldo, sr., 135; Paul Power, sr., 130-135; Eli Goodner, jr., 140; Pat Slusher, jr., 145; Tyrell Hendrix, jr., 189.

Newcomers: Cody Newby, freshman, 112; Tim Bush, fr., 112-119; Josh Carver, sr., 152; Jeremiah Castro, sr., 171; Dave Black, jr., hwt.

Coach’s comment: “I have a lot of seniors this year, and they’re really putting in a lot of extra work. I think it’s going to pay off for them in the long run.”

Outlook: The Wildcats return all 11 state qualifiers as well as seven other lettermen. Jackson takes over for Shawn Amos after serving as a Kellogg assistant the past two years. Jackson wrestled at 150 pounds for the 1988 North Dakota State team, which won the NCAA Division II national title. His Minnesota high school team won seven straight state titles. “I see a real battle this year,” Jackson said. “On any night, it’s going to matter if the teams are ready to wrestle or not. State experience - it’s going to make us stronger. We’re pretty good all the way across.”

LAKELAND HAWKS

1994-95 record: 5-0, league champion

Coach: Mark Johnson

Years coaching: 6

Top returners: Brad Haney, jr., 112-119; Nathan Pascoe, jr., 160.

Newcomers: Chad Haney, jr., 125-130; Wade Herbert, sr., 130; Jeremy Morris, jr., 135; Garry Hill, sr., 135; Sean Barnhart, jr., 140-145; Justin Korsi, jr., 145; Shawn Pennock, sr., 145-152; Chris Markham, jr., 152; Jon Bauch, jr., 171; Darren Zychek, sr., 189.

Coach’s comment: “It’s a different kind of a (practice) room. There are some big shoes to fill with Erik (Martin) and Kole (Clauson) and John (Neff) gone. That group was a group of great leaders. Our kids right now are trying to fill those shoes and doing a pretty good job of it.”

Outlook: Lakeland is junior-dominated. “Bonners has the seniors, and they have probably on paper the best team coming back,” Johnson said. “We’re in about the same position as Kellogg is right now. I’m not going to count us out of the race, but we’re going to have to do some improving to be able to compete with the big ones.”

PRIEST RIVER SPARTANS

1994-95 record: 0-5

Coach: Ed Arvin

Years coaching: 13, 4th at Priest River

Top returners: Jake Stark, so., 119; Quinton Holbrook, jr., 125; Zach Wood, so., 130; Brian Rush, sr., 140; Adam Lamb, sr., 171.

Newcomers: Casey Holbrook, fr., 103; Clayton Foster, sr., 145; Tau Candelario, so., 130; Ron Rickett, sr., 189; Josh Queen, so., hwt.

Coach’s comment: “We’re trying to keep a low profile. We’ve been working really hard at developing a program. We’re starting to see some success from (the youth program). The kids have really sacrificed and put in some extra effort.”

Outlook: The Spartans can fill all 13 weight classes for the first time since the program started thanks to a turnout of 23. Foster, a Post Falls transfer who won an A-1 Region I title last year, should help immensely. “(The IML is) going to be a dogfight,” Arvin said. “I’m kinda excited about it. Whoever wins the IML and wins the district championship is going to take a really, really solid team to state. I’m real excited with the number of kids we got out and their willingness to work hard. They seem to be really focused this year.”

ST. MARIES LUMBERJACKS

1994-95 record: 1-3-1

Coach: Ryan Wood

Years coaching: 3

Top returners: Nathan Cavala, jr., 125-130; Kevin Schultz, jr., 130; Nick Epler, jr., 140; Ry Stone, sr., 145; Jeff Tweedy, jr., 152; Jack Allman, jr., hwt.

Newcomers: Travis Duffey, fr., 103; Jim McAndrew, jr., 152; Tyson Clyne, jr., 152; Josh Buell, so., 160.

Coach’s comment: “I have some depth again, which is always nice, especially when kids get injured. They have a really good attitude. I want kids who are going to work hard, have a positive attitude and want to be in the wrestling room. Right now, I have 25.”

Outlook: Cavala is recovering from knee surgery and won’t return until January. He is one of six returning state qualifiers. “We’re a small school, but we’ll be competing,” Wood said. “Bonners and Kellogg probably have really good teams. Lakeland and Priest River both will be tough. Priest River will surprise some people, too; they’ve got a program coming on that will be a force this year.”

MOSCOW BEARS

1994-95 record: 3-1-1, 7-6-1

Coach: Bill Lemm

Years coaching: 12, 3rd at Moscow

Top returners: Tim Jimenez, sr., 119; Jess Falke, so., 135; Andy Brewer, jr., 160.

Newcomers: Justin Houska, fr., 103; Jason Campbell, fr., 130; Eric Busch, sr., 145; Will Glasscock, sr., 152; Ryan Flugal, fr., 160.

Coach’s comment: Inexperience may get the best of the Bears who return just two regulars from last year in Brewer and Jiminez. Half the 20 team members are freshmen. “We’re going to get better. They’ve been learning fast. There’s so many freshmen, by the end of the year they will be respectable kids.”

Outlook: Busch and Glasscock could surprise opponents. Busch injured a shoulder during practice last year and missed the entire season, while Glasscock hasn’t wrestled since he was a freshman. “We’re going to be fighting to stay out of the (IML) cellar,” Lemm said. “It depends, if some of these kids will just keep healthy we can make a little run at them.”

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Wrestlers to watch Justin Pluid, senior, 189 pounds, Bonners Ferry, state champion at 171 last year Nathan Pascoe, junior, 160, Lakeland, third at state at 145 last season Dennis Liermann, senior, 140, Bonners Ferry, third at state at 130 last year Kyle Watts, senior, heavyweight, Bonners Ferry, fifth at state last year Brad Haney, junior, 112-119, Lakeland, fifth at state at 103 last season