Viks arrive in numbers

There have been years when Coeur d’Alene High could have squeezed its qualifiers for the trip to state wrestling tournament in a midsized car.

There have been years when the coaches outnumbered the qualifiers.

This year is much, much different. CdA qualified 25, three short of two complete lineups and more than any other 5A school. The Viks are going first class on a chartered bus.

The Vikings are in pursuit of their first state trophy since 1986 and just third overall. Although it hasn’t been officially confirmed, CdA reportedly captured second at state during the early 1970s. If a trophy of that feat exists, it’s nowhere to be found.

CdA finished fourth in 1986 when present coach Jeff Moffat was a sophomore and Don Owen, his mentor, was the head coach. Funny how things come full circle. Owen, who left CdA for University a few years later, just won his first state title as a coach last weekend when U-Hi captured the 4A title in Washington.

There’s an outside possibility that the Viks could challenge for a state title when the tourney begins a three-day run today at the Idaho Center in Nampa. More realistically, though, is CdA should challenge for either third or fourth. Trophies are awarded to the top four teams.

“My biggest fear is my guys are satisfied in making it to state,” said Moffat, whose team is ranked third in the state power rankings. “But we’ve talked all season about not being satisfied with just being there. We could finish as high as third, but everybody has to win some matches and some of the young guys have to win at least one match.”

So what are the Viks’ chances of winning a state title? At least in Moffat’s mind?

“We’d have to wrestle as well as we’ve ever wrestled and Eagle would have to have a down tournament,” Moffat said.

So Moffat is banking on something more middle of the road. The Viks must wrestle well to bring home a trophy of any sort. If they fail to show up, they won’t be in the hunt for anything.

Moffat is taking an experienced crew for the most part. Eleven Viks have state experience, including senior transfer Cody Campbell by way of Pendleton, Ore.

“If we had four in the finals, I’d be ecstatic,” Moffat said. “We’ve got to get three in the finals to get a trophy.”

Moffat figures as many as 13 Viks can earn state medals. All eight of the seniors who started as freshmen when Moffat became head coach also qualified, and 17 of the qualifiers will return next year.

Two seniors appear to be all but locks – defending state champ Ryan Allen at 189 pounds and Josh Manes at 135. Allen is 38-1 and seeded No. 1, and Manes is 39-1 and seeded first. Their losses came in the finals of the prestigious Tri-State tournament in December.

Manes was third last year, losing to eventual state champ Mike Beeson of Eagle in the semifinals.

“He’s focused. He should win,” Moffat said. “If he doesn’t, he’ll be disappointed. He’s learned to wrestle under pressure. He’s seen tougher competition at Tri-State and Rollie Lane (tournament).”

Manes believes he should be defending a title, not seeking one. He said he didn’t strike gold last year, not because he lacked the physical ability, but he lacked confidence between the ears.

“I always get nervous at state for some reason,” Manes said. “I just blew it in the semifinals. The kid who beat me I ended up beating him a week later (at state freestyle) when there wasn’t as much pressure on me. He pinned me and then I pinned him.

“I have to not get nervous. I have to go wrestle hard and not worry about anything. I think I’m over that hurdle.”

Manes will likely hook up with second-seeded Sean Connor of Skyline in the finals. Manes beat Connor (37-1) in the finals at the Rollie Lane tourney in January.

“I beat him by two points,” Manes said. “He couldn’t take me down. I pretty much dominated. If I can stay solid on my feet, I’ll be fine. He’s going to want it as much as me.”

Manes believes CdA will fare well as a team, too.

“We should get a trophy if everybody shows up to wrestle,” Manes said.

Allen has beaten all the seeded wrestlers in his class – either at some time this year or last year. So he’s confident heading to Nampa.

“I’ve done pretty much what I wanted to do except for the (finals at Tri-State),” Allen said. “I’ve gotten better on my feet and my takedowns are better.”

Seven other Viks received state seedings. Jared Reynolds is seeded second at 160, Jason Ellefloot is seeded third at 125, Campbell is seeded fourth at 152 and Alex Howard is fourth at 140.