Grappling With Slim Prospects Only One State Champion Returns As Panhandle Wrestling Season Begins

Unlike recent years there are no dominant, marquee wrestlers in North Idaho.

Sandpoint’s Jared Lawrence has graduated along with his four state titles and 133-0 record. Gone, too, is Al Mack of Post Falls, who made school history last year by becoming a three-time state champ.

So, as Panhandle teams roll out their mats for the 1997-98 campaign, the prospects for state titles are few. But check back in 11 weeks. Things could change.

Just one state champion returns.

Bonners Ferry senior Travis Liermann had hoped to place at state going into last season, but he capped a surprising year with a state championship at 160 pounds.

Will somebody step out of nowhere this year as Liermann did? Although the pool of proven state medal contenders appears shallow, area coaches see quite a bit of potential.

The state tournaments for all classifications will be held Feb. 25-27 in Idaho State University’s Holt Arena in Pocatello.

Inland Empire League

The A-1 league has the fewest returning state placers in recent memory (two).

Sandpoint sophomore Jake Rosholt, fifth at 140 last year, leads a short list of possible state title contenders. He bumps up three weights to 160.

Longtime Lewiston coach Dave Harrington resigned to take an assistant principal’s job in Western Washington. Former Lewiston wrestler Jeff Karlin takes over.

Lewiston returns the most state qualifiers (seven) in the league, and coaches pick the Bengals to return to the top of the regional heap. Last year, Post Falls knocked off Lewiston for its first regional championship.

“Unquestionably, Lewiston’s got to be the favorite,” Post Falls coach Dennis Amende said.

The league expands with the addition of Moscow.

The top three placers in each weight advance to state.

Intermountain League

St. Maries steamrolled its way to the district title last year, and the same is expected this season. The Lumberjacks stock each weight with a quality starter and, in most cases, a good backup.

St. Maries coach Ryan Wood doesn’t think his team will cruise to the district title. He expects at least two or three teams to challenge.

“But I wouldn’t trade my kids for anybody,” Wood said.

Grangeville and Orofino will join the six IML teams at district. The league will receive four state berths at each weight, up one from last year.

A-3

The opportunity for more state berths await Wallace and Kootenai with traditional central Idaho A-3 powers Grangeville and Orofino out of the division.

Wallace and Kootenai will contend with District II teams for three state berths per weight.