Invernon wins second state wrestling title!
<p>Blaine Invernon and his first place state championship medal.</p>
Bonners Ferry High School junior Blaine Invernon is on his way to wrestling history, earning his second first place title at the 3A Idaho state championship.
He started wrestling when he was four and his father, Eddy, a wrestling coach, would take him to the little Badgers wrestling practices.
Although he wasn’t quite old enough at the time, he would wrestle and pay close attention to the other kids.
“I liked to go with my dad when he was a coach and wanted to learn,” said Invernon.
He has been hitting the mats ever since.
Invernon, the No. 1 ranked 3A wrestler in the state at 132 pounds, is motivated by the possibility of joining former Badger and Boise State wrestler Adam Hall as a three-time state champion.
“That’s what I’m going for,” said Invernon of the three titles, accomplished just 17 times in the history of the state at the 3A level,” said Invernon.
Invernon is almost there with two first-place state titles.
The first he received as a freshman. The second when he placed first in his weight class at the 3 A state tournament in Pocotello two weeks ago.
In last year’s state championship, Invernon took second place.
Invernon has Olympic aspirations. He also wants a wrestling scholarship. He would love to wrestle for Boise State, but wants to see what his options might be when the time comes.
In April, Invernon will travel to Bulgaria with two top wrestling coaches in the world who have a mini Olympic training center in Boise.
The two coaches, who are originally from Bulgaria, met Invernon and his father four years ago when a mutual friend introduced them. The coaches saw Invernon wrestle at a regional wrestling tournament.
The trainers invited Invernon to practice with them in Boise and are now taking their protégé to Bulgaria to wrestle in an international tournament.
This could open the door for Invernon in the world tournament and eventually the Olympics as Invernon hopes.
“I am excited to travel to Bulgaria,” said Invernon. “It is a little scary and a little different style of wrestling but it is a chance to qualify for the U.S. World team and that will get me ready for the Olympic trials.”