U-Hi on top after opening day of Tri-State tournament

For the second year in a row, the University High wrestling team takes a lead into the second day of the Tri-State tournament.

This time, though, the Titans hope to finish the job.

U-Hi advanced five into the semifinals of the 34th annual tourney Friday at North Idaho College’s Christianson Gym. The Titans posted 94.5 points, 11.5 ahead of second-place Libby (Mont.).

Three other teams are within 17 points of U-Hi, Washington’s defending State 4A champ. Auburn, the team tournament director John Owen predicted would capture the Tri-State title, was well back tied for sixth with 58 after three rounds of championship matches and three rounds of consolation.

Technically, U-Hi shared the title last year with Lake Stevens. Both teams finished with 184.5 points, but Lake Stevens took the championship trophy home based on criteria.

Titans 119-pounder Brian Owen, a state and Tri-State champ last year as a freshman, decided to enter Tri-State after all despite injury defaulting out of the Inland Empire Classic last weekend after aggravating a back injury in advancing to the semifinals. .

Moving gingerly at times, Owen cruised to technical fall wins in his first two matches before holding off Jose Barajas of Royal City 5-3 in the quarterfinals.

Tri-State has had just one four-time champion, that being former Sandpoint standout Jared Lawrence. Injury or not, Owen, the youngest son of John Owen, wasn’t going to sit out this weekend despite the advice of his uncle, U-Hi coach Don Owen, to rest his back.

“One of the big things for us was whether Brian could wrestle,” Don Owen said. “I knew we’d be in the thick of things if he could go. I wanted him to rest this weekend, but it’s pretty hard to deny him the opportunity.”

Joining Owen in the semifinals are teammates Chase Fish (125), Trevor Robb (152), Nick Zumwalt (171) and Dono Totten (heavyweight).

All the defending individual champs – Joey Fio of Sandpoint (125), Kelly Kubec of Lake Stevens (130), Levi Jones of Lakeside-Nine Mile Falls (135), Adam Hall of Bonners Ferry (152) and Andrew Johnson of Tahoma (152), along with Owen – advanced to the semifinals.

Action resumes today at 9:30 a.m. with consolation matches. The semifinals begin at 12:15 p.m., with the championship finals at 5:30.