With a little help

Andrew Palmer doesn’t know where he’d be without wrestling.

The Coeur d’Alene High wrestler does know where he wouldn’t be, though. He wouldn’t be in high school.

“Most kids in my situation probably wouldn’t be in school,” Palmer, a senior who is on track to graduate, said.

Coeur d’Alene coach Jeff Moffat has a couple of favorite stories he tells about Palmer.

The first one involves Moffat spotting Palmer doing back flips in the gym one fall day during Palmer’s freshman year. Moffat started recruiting Palmer, who had never wrestled before, to turn out that winter.

Another story involves statements he heard from Palmer’s middle school teachers.

“They told me they never thought he’d make it out of middle school,” Moffat said.

Palmer was in and out of trouble in middle school, and he frequently skipped classes.

He got off to a poor start the fall of his freshman year. But once Moffat got him under his wing, things started to turn around in a hurry.

“He’s never been in trouble at Coeur d’Alene High School,” Moffat said. “He’s really been a model kid.”

Palmer choked back tears as he talked about the influence Moffat and his brother, Kelly, have had on his life.

“The Moffats have been pretty much like fathers for me,” Palmer said. “(Jeff) has done so much for me. I’ve never really had a father figure. Kelly tells me often that he loves me. Whenever they say something I listen because it has worth to it. I take things that they say to heart.”

Palmer’s mother moved out of state last summer, and Palmer wanted to finish his senior year at Coeur d’Alene. So Randy Howard – whose sons wrestle at CdA – took Palmer into his home.

Palmer was 20 minutes late to practice last week because he couldn’t get a ride. It was the first time he’s been late all season.

He had to run the practice room stairs one minute for every minute he was late.

“It’s the last time I’m going to be late,” Palmer said, smiling as he regained his breath from the extra running.

Palmer, who is 5-foot if he stands on his tippy toes, has been in the lightest weight class – 103 pounds – all four years at CdA. He weighed about 85 pounds his freshman year.

He grew enough this year that he actually has to watch his diet on the weekends and cut weight during the week.

Palmer packs quite a punch for his size, though. A three-year state qualifier, he took third at state last year, finishing 31-8 overall. He brought a 21-5 record into this week and is ranked No. 1 in 5A.

He hasn’t lost to a 5A wrestler in Idaho. Four of his losses were to quality out-of-state opponents. His first loss of the year was in the semifinals at Tri-State where sophomore Garret Belgarde, of Sandpoint, upended him 17-7. Belgarde is ranked not only No. 1 in 4A, but also No. 1 in the overall power rankings, a spot ahead of Palmer.

Palmer won an individual title at the Rollie Lane tournament in Nampa. He beat Chad Booth of Post Falls 6-5.

It’s very likely that the 5A state title will come down to a showdown between Palmer and Booth. They could face off three more times before state.

Palmer will get a chance to redeem himself against Belgarde in a dual Tuesday at Sandpoint.

Moffat sees much improvement in Palmer this year.

“He’s more composed,” Moffat said. “Last year, he’d get behind and get rattled and frustrated. This year he gets in tight matches and pulls them out.”

Palmer has his sights set on a state title.

“(Weight class) 103s is a loaded weight,” Moffat said. “Our backup (Kyle Siegwarth) is very good. So is Booth. There are good kids from Highland and Centennial.”

Moffat is amazed at how far Palmer has come in the sport considering his late start.

“Right now he’s up there with anybody we’ve had in terms of development,” Moffat said. “He’s a true testament of someone who bought in and did the things we asked. He’s made huge leaps every year. He’s one of the hardest workers we’ve had.”

Palmer would like to be a coach some day.

“I had some tough times in my childhood,” Palmer said. “I think I’ve done pretty good with the cards I’ve been dealt. I couldn’t be more thankful for the people in my life and what they’ve done for me. I don’t know how I can pay them back. That’s why I want to be a coach. I want to be able to give back something because of all the help I’ve had.”