Bonners Ferry wrestling star Hall to stay close to home

Adam Hall admits he wasn’t attracted to Boise State University at first. The lure of a bigger college in a faraway state had a headlock on the Bonners Ferry High wrestling standout.

After all, the University of Wisconsin wanted Hall so much that it made six home visits in the last two months.

Dozens of other major and small colleges recruited Hall, too, including prestigious Iowa. But before Hall put his head on his pillow late Tuesday, he decided to stay closer to home.

Hall signed a letter of intent with BSU on Wednesday, the last day of the early signing period.

Among the deciding factors were conversations Hall had with former University High standout and Coeur d’Alene resident Tommy Owen, who transferred from Minnesota to BSU this year for his senior season.

“He told me if I don’t have the right coaches it’s not going to work,” said Hall, a two-time state champion who has won 77 straight matches since losing in the state final as a freshman. “I talked to him for quite a long time. He’s been to the big school and now a smaller school. He said if you don’t have a good relationship with the coaches it’s difficult. I was more comfortable with the coaches at Boise State.”

Hall visited Wisconsin, Iowa and BSU along with Stanford and Nebraska. But he narrowed his options to the former schools.

“It’s a great decision for him personally,” said BF coach Conrad Garner. “It meets his needs. It’s an up-and-coming program. It’s neat to see him staying in state.”

Hall, whose career record is 121-4, finished runner-up at 140 pounds at the Junior Nationals in Fargo, S.D., in late July. The impressive showing was reflected in preseason high school rankings released this week by Amateur Wrestling News, in which Hall is ranked No. 1 at 145.

The season begins the week after Thanksgiving, and Hall plans to wrestle initially at 152 before settling at 145.