A River Rolling With Talent Priest River’s Stark, Blaine Have Sights Set On State Titles

Priest River High’s Jake Stark has learned a valuable lesson he hopes will allow him to defend his State A-2 wrestling championship today.

He understands that it’s much more difficult to repeat than win the first time.

Before he captured the school’s first individual championship last year, few had heard of Priest River, let alone Stark.

He didn’t sneak up on opponents, but he didn’t exactly command respect.

This year he’s a known entity.

“That’s what is tough about this year - people know who I am,” said Stark, a state champ at 140 pounds last year. He’s up a weight this year.

“It’s twice as hard this year,” Stark added.

Stark and teammate Lucas Blaine, a junior at 140, moved into the finals with two victories each Friday at the Idaho State University’s Holt Arena.

Their semifinal victories were as difficult as state title matches.

Stark held off Jon Aramburu of Bishop Kelly 6-5. Stark got a go-ahead takedown midway through the third period before allowing an escape with 3 seconds left.

Blaine had the most difficult semifinal, as he had to go to overtime to top Kendell Roberts of Bear Lake 9-7. Blaine led 6-3 in the second period, but Roberts rallied to take a 7-6 lead.

An escape in the final seconds forced the extra period. Blaine scored a quick takedown for the win.

In the quarterfinals Friday morning, Stark had to fend off a stout challenge from a fearless freshman from Wood River. Stark prevailed 8-6.

“I’m wrestling better than I did last year at state, but the competition is stronger this year,” Stark said. “There’s more competition and more placers back.”

Stark was surprised by a wild, carefree move by his quarterfinal opponent.

“He’s wrestling solid,” Priest River coach Ed Arvin said. “Last year we were looking for our first state champion. There’s a lot of firsts we’re still accomplishing. Jake’s helping us get some of them.”

A repeat would be a nice touch to Stark’s senior year. He was a starting wide receiver on the football team that posted the best record in school history (7-2) and was involved in a Kansas tiebreaker for a state berth.

Blaine said he was a victim of a non-call last year in the semifinals at 119 that cost him a chance at a state title.

“I got three points for a near-fall, but the referee didn’t award me the points,” said Blaine, who would have won that semifinal match by two with the back points.

The loss was so devastating that Blaine fell apart, finishing sixth.

“I got ripped off,” he said. “We protested, but it was too late. After that I didn’t care.”

Blaine has come out aggressive at state. He doesn’t want to let a controversial call - or lack thereof - have any impact on the outcome.

In the quarterfinals, Blaine jumped out to a 7-4 lead. He was on top for the third period and rode Ryan Parkhurst of Kuna for the 2-minute round. He finished strong, scoring five near-fall points late.

“He’s come back with a vengeance this year after the heart-breaker last year,” Arvin said. “He’s used that to drive himself. He’s worked really hard in and out of the room.”

A third Spartan, senior heavyweight Josh Queen, lost in the semifinals as James Huml of SugarSalem pinned the Spartan with 3 seconds left in a lopsided match.

Queen’s quest for a state title came to an end.

“Josh lost that match before he wrestled,” Arvin said. “That wasn’t the same kid who won in the quarterfinals.”

Priest River moved into seventh place after the semifinals with 65 points. Buhl is leading with 111 and Snake River is close by at 107.5.

The Spartans have a chance to move into the top five today.

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