State Champ To Begin Mack Attack
Post Falls High’s Al Mack isn’t the best-known wrestler in North Idaho, but few have better credentials.
The 103-pound defending state champion will begin his quest for a regional title tonight in the A-1 and A-2 District I-II Tournament at Lake City’s gym. Although he may be overshadowed by luminaries such as Jared Lawrence of Sandpoint, Mack will come prepared.
Mack was the No. 1 seed at the regional tournament last year, but was beaten in the finals, giving him a tougher draw at state than if he was a top seed. After having difficult matches throughout the tournament, Mack vows not to go through the same thing again this year.
“I gotta work hard and wrestle every match,” Mack said. “Winning regionals is the first step toward a state title.”
Mack will be one of the 250 grapplers having it out in the first time that the A-1 and A-2 teams from North Idaho will compete in separate tourneys at the same time.
“This tournament will be a showplace for wrestling fans to enjoy,” tournament manager Jim Whiteman said. “The whole tournament and especially the finals should be something special.”
The top three finishers in each weight class advance to the state tournament, beginning Feb. 28 in Holt Arena at Idaho State University in Pocatello.
Mack has a 29-4 record this season, and his only loss to an Idaho wrestler came against Joseph Corral of Meridian. Mack and Trojans’ coach Dennis Amende felt Mack should have won.
“We think that loss was a fluke, but once in a while it’s good to get beat to keep you focused,” Amende said.
Mack is about as unassuming as a defending state champion can be. Talking about himself appears almost painful, but wrestling him has been even more painful for the Inland Empire League this year. He hasn’t lost a league match.
Amende said that very few wrestlers at 103 are as well put together physically or technically as Mack.
“He wrestles well on his feet, has a great duck move and is strong enough that very few guys hold him down,” Amende said.
Mack’s most difficult opponent so far this season has been expectations placed on him from his success last season.
“It’s been tougher this year because there’s more pressure to do well,” Mack said.
There’s a good chance that the opening match of the championship round at regionals will feature Mack. If that happens, Mack will finally be in a spotlight he feels comfortable under.
xxxx Wrestling at a glance A-1 Region I When: Friday - Session I, 6 p.m. Saturday - Session II, 10 a.m.; Session III 4 p.m. Where: Lake City High School At stake: Top three placers qualify for State A-1 tournament in Pocatello on Feb. 27-28. Defending champion: Sandpoint Top seeds: 103 pounds-Al Mack (Post Falls) 29-4. 112-Scott Hoogland (Lewiston) 20-10. 119-Jared Lawrence (Sandpoint) 23-0. 125-Cody Crawford (Spt) 22-2. 130-Brandon Larson (Spt) 23-3. 135-Ty Miller (Lake City) 15-10. 140-Shawn Garner (Spt) 18-3. 145-Scott Weimer (Lew) 11-6. 152-Pat Larson (Spt) 24-0. 160-A.J. Chubb (Spt) 23-3. 171-Bryan Roberts (PF) 27-9. 189-Nick Primmer (Coeur d’Alene) 19-9. Hwt-Laki Ah Hi (Lew) 4-0. Quick pins: Last year’s regional champ in the 189 division, Ah Hi, will be wrestling for the first time since a shoulder and neck injury. He was injured the week of the Tri-State Tournament. Coach’s comment: “Everyone’s chasing Sandpoint again,” said Post Falls coach Dennis Amende. “Who’s second is anybody’s guess, but you can erase all the records from the season because everyone steps it up.” Admission: All-session pass $8 for students, $10 adults, senior citizens free; single-session pass is $3 and $4.
A-2 District I-II When, where and admission: Same as A-1. Top seeds: 103-Travis Duffey (St. Maries) 25-5. 112-Casey Holbroook (Priest River) 17-11. 119-Lucas Blaine (PR) 23-3. 125-Winter Braden (Bonners Ferry) 19-6. 130-Brad Haney (Lakeland) 18-6. 135-Quenton Holbrook (PR) 27-3. 140-Jake Stark (PR) 16-3. 145-Pat Slusher (Kellogg) 22-7. 152-Sean Barnhart (LL) 24-4. 160-Todd VanGundy (BF) 19-2. 171-Nathan Pascoe (LL) 21-0. 189-Tyrel Hendrix (Kell) 22-4. Hwt-Josh Queen (PR) 24-5. Quick Pins: Priest River coach Ed Arvin said that 145 is the weight to watch, as any of the top three will have legitimate chances to place at state. Coaches comment: “I think it’s going to be a great show,” Arvin said. “It should be fun for A-2 coaches to watch the A-1 kids.”