Al Mack Post Falls Year: Sophomore Sport: Wrestling Weight: 103 Pounds

Al Mack never worried about making weight as Post Falls’ starting 103-pound wrestler last season. Then a freshman, he barely weighed 98 pounds.

Now, Mack is cutting a couple of pounds to reach 103, but that may work to his advantage.

Over the weekend, Mack pinned three opponents en route to the 98-pound championship at the Ronan (Mont.) Invitational. Each match ended in the first period.

“I was surprised,” the 15-year-old Mack explained. “They were all tough matches. I took them down; I got behind them and got back points, then pinned them.”

Mack stopped Dusty Walden of Sandpoint in 1:03 in the Ronan semifinals, then took just 2:58 to dispose of Nolan Ledbetter of Cut Bank (Mont.) in the final.

“I was watching the other kids on (Ledbetter’s) team,” Mack said of a 6-hour wait after the semifinal. “I could see those kids didn’t like to tie up very much. I knew I had to take some shots outside (against Ledbetter).”

Post Falls coach Dennis Amende called Mack’s performance dominating.

“I think Al can wrestle with anybody and I think Al’s starting to figure that out,” Amende said. “He’s dedicated himself to getting better. Now, he’s starting to wrestle with some intensity, and he’s taking some chances.”

Mack weight trains and attended an Oregon wrestling camp over the summer. He plans to start wrestling freestyle in the off-season.

Takedowns were the main emphasis of the camp, and it shows in Mack’s offensive development.

“This year, I’ve been using the duck-under a lot more,” Mack said. “It gives me more variety. I can shoot a single-or double- (leg takedown) from that position.”

And Amende applauds Mack’s new-found aggression.

“He’s always going forward,” Amende described. “He’s always pressuring you. He’s always going at you, that’s part of the aggression and taking the chances. Last year, there were a few things on his feet he could score with. This year, he’s developing some more things.”

Mack started to wrestle in the third grade at his father’s encouragement. The 3.0 student already sees that the sport could provide a college future.

“Toward the end of last year, he started wrestling real strong,” Amende said. “He took his lumps early. He made a commitment to get good. He’s earning what he’s getting, and this is just the beginning for him as long as he continues to work hard.”

Goal-setting was another camp emphasis benefitting Mack. Mack realized his goal last season when he qualified for state. “This year, I want to place at state,” he said. “It’s going to take hard work and dedication.”

Mack triedsto take another step toward that goal this weekend when the Trojans travel to Spokane for the Rogers Invitational.

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