Badgers wrestlers gunning for state title
BONNERS FERRY — The Badgers are sending 16 kids to the state wrestling tournament this weekend, many of whom will score points and two of whom will contend for state titles.
Bonners Ferry dominated the finals in 3A District 1 wrestling tournament on Saturday, claiming a school-record eight titles en route to a convincing win. More important than the district title, however, is the fact the Badgers will take 16 kids to state, a number Badgers coach Conrad Garner believes will enable his team to make a legitimate run at a state title.
“We now match Sugar-Salem, American Falls and Fruitland,” said Garner of his chief 3A rivals. “Now we’re all equal. Now we just have to wrestle.”
Leading the way will be senior Trevor Hampton (145), who won state last year at 140 pounds and is hoping to end his high school career as a two-time state champ.
“I have confidence in my off-season, what I’ve done,” said Hampton of his prospects for a repeat. “Go in with no regrets. Know that you’re the best and you’re going to wrestle like you’re the best.”
Also hoping to repeat as a state champion for the Badgers is sophomore Blaine Invernon (119), who jumped up two weight classes after winning last year as a 103-pound freshman.
“I’m going down to wrestle with everything I’ve got,” said the confident sophomore, who has been wrestling for 12 years. “Even though there are kids older than me, I have more experience.”
3A
(Top four to state)
TEAM SCORES — Bonners Ferry, 340. 2, Priest River, 244.5. 3, Timberlake, 224.5. 4, St. Maries, 151.5. 5, Kellogg, 112.5.
Championship
103 — Josh Tucker, BF, p. Rocco Wingfield, TL, 2:30. 112 — John Brown, BF, p. Colton Derry, StM, :47. 119 — Blaine Invernon, BF, d. Kody Hongslo, TL, 12-5. 125 — Cole Jerome, Kel, p. David Chapman-Jones, BF, 5:52. 130 — James Hegge, PR, by forfeit Dustin Koehler, BF. 135 — Parker Davis, BF, p. Tristan Roth, TL, :37. 140 — Benny Watt, BF, md. Thomas Kissinger, PR, 12-3. 145 — Trevor Hampton, BF, md. Chris Pooley, PR, 11-3. 152 — Brandon Schmitz, BF, d. Kyle White, TL, 6-0. 160 — Cody Rabidue, PR, tf. Brian Fink, PR, 19-3. 171 — Zach Heigel, BF, d. Tanner Rogers, PR, 4-3. 189 — Jesse Johnson, StM, d. Jarrod Gloe, PR, 6-2. 215 — David Willems, BF, p. Pierce Otto, Kel, 1:03. 285 — Tony Appel, StM, P. Allan Foote, TL, :33.
Third-fourth place
103 — Scott Larson, TL, d. Diamond Robinson, PR, 22-15. 112 — Cam Raynor, TL, p. Luke Soumas, PR, 3:28. 119 — Tristin O’Brien, Kel, tf. Aaron Kolar, StM, 19-3. 125 — Drew Hill, TL, d. Tyler Popkin, PR, 8-2. 130 — Reid Boorman, BF, d. Cody Stewart, Kel, 9-5. 135 — Chris Vergobbi, Kel, tf. Kole Akre, PR, 29-14. 140 — Trevor Roth, TL, md. Joe Bloomsburg, StM, 15-3. 145 — Walker Herring, TL, p. Cody Yearout, PR, :49. 152 — Ashton Stephenson, StM, p. Forrest Herring, TL, 3:42. 160 — Justin Anast, TL, by forfiet, Derek Charles, StM. 171 — Christian Heth, TL, p. Devin Schalk, BF, 2:15. 189 — Carmen Krichbaum, BF, p. Jake Baures, TL, :37. 215 — Jon Gaspar, BF, by forfeit. 285 — Manuel Perez, PR, p. William Gaspar, BF, 3:26.