Tri-State Remains Formidable Event Wrestling Tournament Again Features Top Northwest Talent
The essence of the 27th annual Tri-State Wrestling Tournament this weekend at North Idaho College can be defined by one weight class: 112 pounds.
“It will be a barn-burner,” said meet director Bill Pecha.
He then recited a litany of state champions and national finalists who will be attempting to win the class.
“Now, after all those possibilities,” said Pecha, “possibly the best is Burke Barnes.”
He’s the freshman son of Lake Stevens coach Brent Barnes, a two-time national champion at NIC.
“His son is an absolutely awesome freshman,” said Pecha. “John (Owen) thinks he can win the thing. In that weight class that’s saying something.”
In order for the frosh to win, he’ll have to get past defending Tri-State 103-pound champion Casey Kotter from La Grande. The field also includes state champion Cory Owen from Missoula Sentinel, Cadet Nationals runner-up Martin Mitchell from Tonasket, two-time national runner-up Adam Brown from Clearwater Valley, Washington state champion Jaime Garza of Moses Lake and Washington runner-up John Sommer from East Valley.
This annual gathering of state champions and placers from 44 schools in four states makes it the area’s premier early season tournament.
La Grande, winner of three of the last five championships, returns as many as nine individuals from last year, including defending champions Kotter and Rhyan Malone and finalist Luke Kleck. Another returning champion is Fred Bartlett from Meridian, Idaho.
Finalists include Gonzaga Prep’s Travis Pascoe, Pat Owen of Polson, Mont., and Lake Stevens’ Theo White.
“Of all the years I’ve put this together, I’m having a hard time predicting a team winner because no one is really loaded,” said Pecha.
He does know that 140 pounds, with Bartlett and two-time Anacortes state champ Coyte Cooper, and 152, with Malone, Montana champion Matt Owen of Polson and state runner-up Tyson Springer of Monroe, will join 112 in upholding Tri-State tradition.
TRI-STATE WRESTLING Where: North Idaho College Friday’s schedule: First round 10 a.m.; quarterfinals 7:30 p.m. Saturday’s schedule: Consolation 9 a.m.; semifinals 12:15 p.m.; championships 6 Admission: All-sessions passes $15, senior citizens (60 and older) and students $10. Single-session pass $5, $4 senior citizens and students. There are four sessions, two each day.