Panhandle Contingent Is Young

North Idaho will send its youngest qualifiers in some time to the State A-1, A-2 and A-3 wrestling tournaments in Pocatello.

No Panhandle teams are expected to challenge for trophies, and few athletes are considered serious contenders for state titles.

Still, at least one coach believes North Idaho teams won’t leave Idaho State University’s Holt Arena empty-handed.

“We know the region is extremely young, but we’ll bring home some medals,” Post Falls coach Dennis Amende said.

The tournaments begin today. First-round matches start at 1 p.m. PST in A-1, followed by A-2 at 3 p.m. and A-3 at 5 p.m.

Just one championship round will be held today. The first round of consolation will be held in the evening session.

Championship bracket quarterfinal and semifinal matches will be held Friday, capped by the semis in the evening. Two rounds of consolation matches also will be held.

The championship finals will be Saturday afternoon.

Here’s a look, by classification, at the area wrestlers with the best chances at medaling:

A-1

The first weight that will likely see medals is 125, where Lake City senior Joey Kroetch and Sandpoint junior Mick Coon are the best hopes.

Moscow’s Justin Houska, a placer in A-2 last year, is a medal contender at 130.

Sandpoint freshman Tony Hook could challenge for a medal at 135.

At 152, Lewiston senior Willie Wicks is seeded second and could be a finalist.

Undefeated Sandpoint sophomore Jake Rosholt is the top seed at 160.

At 171, Moscow senior Ben Nagy and Lewiston sophomore Joe Forsman are medal contenders while Moscow senior Ryan Flugel is the favorite at 189.

Injured most of the season, Post Falls junior Aristo Arana may surprise at heavyweight. He was ranked No. 1 in the preseason rankings.

A-2

The Intermountain League sends a defending champion and a champion to be to state.

Bonners Ferry senior Travis Liermann is seeded No. 1 at 160, where he hopes to defend his title.

Priest River senior Lucas Blaine, a runner-up last year at 140, is top-seeded at 152.

St. Maries (15) sends the most wrestlers from the IML. The Lumberjacks’ best hopes appear to be senior Shaun Willey, seeded second at 103, and senior Travis Duffey at 112.

Kellogg sophomore James Bush is seeded second at 119.

Lakeland junior Dylan Steigemeier is seeded second at 135.

Priest River senior Casey Holbrook could break through at 140, as could senior teammate Chris Hughes at 189.

Grangeville senior Ty Stamper is seeded first at 171 where Kellogg senior Tim Bush is also a contender.

St. Maries senior Rodey Hill and Bonners Ferry senior J.R. Klaus could challenge at 189, while Lakeland senior Levi Cushman could medal at heavyweight.

A-3

Wallace and Kootenai send few wrestlers, but the ones they are taking to state could fare well.

Miners senior Jeff Tryon may contend for a medal at 125; Wallace junior Brandon Pine hopes to do well at 140; Kootenai senior Isaac Shannon could challenge for a medal at 145; and Kootenai senior Brady Livermore is seeded second at 160.