Wrestlers bring home district title
Courtesy photo The Bonners Ferry wrestling team celebrates its 3A district championship Saturday at Lakeland High School. The Badgers also qualified 14 wrestlers for this weekend’s 3A state meet at Idaho State University in Pocatello.
(Photo by KYLE CAJERO) Bonners Ferry freshman Eli Richards prevents Timberlake junior Louis Powell from escaping during the 3A 145-lb. district championship match.
RATHDRUM — As the wrestling season reaches its peak, weeks and months of hard work are paying off for the Bonners Ferry wrestling team.
The Badger wrestlers competed in the 3A District 1 Championships at Lakeland High School on Feb. 16, coming home with the district title.
“We had a great tournament. The kids really got behind each other, cheered each other on, and in the end, they won the district title,” said coach Kevin Campbell. “Wrestling may be an individual sport, but there is a team aspect like no other. And these kids really showed that this weekend. We, the coaches, are super proud of them”.
Besides winning the team title, the team is sending 14 wrestlers to state, including five district champions: Jake Summerfield (98 pounds), Evan Barajas (113), Manuel Naccarato (138), Eli Richards (145) and Gabe See (195). Second- and third-place finishers at the district tournament also qualified, along with one wildcard entry, senior Preston Coon (145).
“A total of 14 kids going to compete at the state tournament is a great accomplishment,” said Campbell.
Badgers who will compete Friday and Saturday at Holt Arena in Pocatello, listed by weight class, are:
98: Jake Summerfield, freshman (1st at districts, seeded 5th at state)
106: Austin Madden, sophomore (2nd at districts)
113: Evan Barajas, sophomore (1st at districts, seeded 2nd at state)
126: Spencer Eby, sophomore (2nd at districts)
138: Manuel Naccarato, junior (1st at districts, seeded 5th at state)
138: Chad Maas, junior (2nd at districts)
145: Eli Richards, freshman (1st at districts, seeded 7th at state)
145: Preston Coon, senior (4th — wildcard)
152: Kyle Smith, freshman (2nd at districts, seeded 6th at state)
160: Nathaniel Varelman, sophomore (3rd at districts)
170: Jesse Bradley, senior (3rd at districts)
182: Donovan Varelman, senior (3rd at districts)
195 Gabe See, senior (1st at districts, seeded 3rd at State)
220 Zach Miller, freshman (2nd at districts)
285 Isaiah Shottanana, sophomore (3rd at districts)
“These guys were weightlifting at 6:30 a.m. three times a week, constantly drilling each other well in practice and were led by six seniors,” Bonners Ferry head coach Conrad Garner said. “It’s been a team effort from the get-go until now.”
Led by 195-pound senior Gabe See — who Garner said “did an awesome job” defending his district title — the Badgers will take 14 wrestlers to the state meet. Last year’s district champs Timberlake will take 12 wrestlers, Kellogg will send nine and six Priest River wrestlers will go to state.
3A District Tournament
(Top 3 to state, next highest state-wide seed qualifies)
TEAM SCORES — 1. Bonners Ferry, 263. 2. Timberlake, 236, 3. Kellogg, 172, 4. Priest River, 89
CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES
98 — Jake Summerfield, BF d. Carter Stepro, Kel, 12-7
106 — Dakota Eixenberger, Kel, p. Austin Madden, BF. 2:18
113 — Evan Barajas, BF, p. Nicky Follini, TL, 1:42
120 — Ethan Guy, Kel, p. Graden Hanes, PR, 3:45
126 — Isaiah Evans, TL, p. Spencer Eby, BF, 2:28
132 — Judson Hall, Kel, d. Brandon Downs, PR, 11-4
138 — Manuel Naccarato, BF, d. Chad Maas, BF, 5-2
145 — Eli Richards, BF p. Louis Powell, TL, 3:46
152 — Caleb Miller, TL, p. Kyle Smith, BF, 2:47
160 — Austin Stepro, Kel, p. Blaine Goodner, Kel, 0:41
170 — Josh Yanez, TL, d. Colby Poe, PR, 4-2
182 — Joey Follini, TL md. Truxton Wilson, PR, 13-1
195 — Gabe See, BF, p. Kaden Scott, TL, 1:03
220 — Aaron Reyes, PR, p. Zachary Miller, BF, 0:23
285 — Trevor Cady, TL, d. Garrett Rickett, TL, 5-1
THIRD PLACE MATCHES
106 — Keith Poiriar, PR, by forfeit
113 — Raymond Heely, Kel, d. Callum Micke, TL, 5-0
120 — Cody Sverdsten, Kel, p. Grady Woodworth, TL, 1:24
126 — Tristyn Frank, TL, p. Hunter Silva, Kel, 0:25
132 — Ethan Jerome, TL, md. Bryan Durette, BF, 8-0
138 — Austin Manty, Kel, d. Kayden Zimmerman, Kel, 9-2
145 — Roman Bisaro, Kel d. Preston Coon, BF, 15-10
152 — Gavin Fuller, TL p. Aeden Carpenter, BF, 0:52
160 — Nathaniel Varelman, BF, d. Jackson Richter, BF, 11-4
170 — Jessie Bradley, BF, p. Connor Underhill, PR, 2:48
182 — Donovan Varelman, BF, d. Ryder Paslay, TL, 6-4
195 — Carson Hudson, Kel, p. Hunter Ranney, TL, 0:54
285 — Isaiah Shottanana, BF p. Robby Bublitz, Kel, 1:00