Badgers take 5th behind Hampton, Swisher

Bonners Ferry High School wrestlers placed fifth out of 10 teams during a Saturday tournament in Riverside, Wash.

Helping the Badgers to what coach Conrad Garner called a respectable finish against some tough teams were Trevor Hampton at 135 pounds and Dayne Swisher at 140, both second in their class; Zack Heigel at 171, third; and David Willems at 215, fourth.

“Riverside was kind of a last -minute decision to make up for stuff we lost at Christmas,” Garner said. “It’s a small one-day tournament with a lot of tough competition. Riverside is a very strong team and Republic Washington was there with a very strong team.”

“I was pleased because a lot of younger kids and new kids got wins on Saturday,” he continued. “Every time they get success, they get a little more charged.”

In other action, Bonners Ferry lost 48-21 to Priest River on Jan. 8 during the Intermountain League match.

A big win came from Badger sophomore Reid Boorman, who decisioned Priest River’s S. Olsen 6-4.

“We bounced him up to 125 to fill that slot for us,” Garner said. “He hadn’t had too much success at 125 until this week.”

Boorman, who weighs 114 and normally wrestles at 119, also defeated Olsen during the Riverside Tournament.

Willems also won against Priest River, decisioning N. Florea 4-3 in overtime.

“Willems had an excellent match against Priest River,” Garner said. “That kid (Florea) is a real good athlete.”

Swisher, a returning state champion in the 140-pound class, lost to B. Schmitz in a 10-7 decision.

“Dayne wrestled a real strong, physical kid, and the kid was coached well,” Garner said. “He was told to keep his distance from Dayne.”

Bonners Ferry this weekend will travel to Missoula, Mont., for the Rocky Mountain Classic wrestling tournament and will host Kellogg and Lakeland at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22.

Priest River 48

Bonners Ferry 21

103 Double Forfeit

112 K.Akre PR won by fall 4:23 T.Verizer BF

119 B. Watt BF dec 10-7 J.Hegge PR

125 R.Boorman BF dec 6-4 S.Olsen PR

130 M.Grove PR won by forfeit

135 T.Hampton BF dec 11-7 C.Pooley PR

140 B.Schmitz BF dec 10-7 C.Nichols PR

145 W.Rabidue PR dec 5-1 D.Swisher BF

152 C.Rabidue PR M.dec 8-0 A.Stockdale BF

160 T.Rabidue PR won by fall 1:51 J.Neumeyer BF

171 C.Chambers PR won by fall 2:36 Z.Heigel BF

189 J.Jamison PR won by forfeit

215 D.Willems BF dec OT 4-3 N.Florea PR

285 K.McDonald PR won by fall 1:43 B.Cowley BF