Badger Wrestling Season Preview: The boys are back

BONNERS FERRY — The Bonners Ferry High School wrestling team are welcoming a number of younger wrestlers, new to high school, but also experienced wrestlers.

While the Badgers had trouble filling the lighter weight classes last year, this season they have the opposite issue, filling the 195-pound to 220-pound weight classes.

Approximately, 30 athletes have come out for wrestling with a large freshman turnout, head coach Kevin Campell said.

Campbell said the freshmen are new to the high school program, but not to wrestling.

Returning seniors include Donny Riess, heavyweight; Tully Reinhart, Marcus Regher and Porter Blackmore.

Last year, the Bonners Ferry boys wrestling finished second in league and took seventh in state for the 3A division with 108 points. Thirteen Badgers competed at state, five placed and Eli Richards earned his second state championship. Jackson Rickter took second at state.

At the state championship, returning Badgers Riess took sixth, Regehr and Brandon Williams finished fifth.

“We’re chomping at the bit to compete this season,” Campbell said.

Due to changes in the 3A Intermountain League with Kellogg and Priest River dropping down to 2A, only Bonners Ferry and Timberlake will compete at districts for boys wrestling. Last year, the top three wrestlers per weight class went on to state. This year, only the top two will move on.

Campbell said the changes in the IML will not affect the team’s competition schedule as they travel to tournaments and will continue to face off against neighboring schools. He added the change in league won’t make the Badgers any less prepared for state, merely that taking the top two at districts will qualify an athlete for state.

He added that with the dropping of Kellogg and Priest River, it significantly raises the chances of a Badger to go to state, especially for weight classes that have few competitors.

New to the high school program is assistant coach Travis Stolley. He is also the middle school wrestling coach. The team also has a handful of new and returning volunteer coaches.

Badger wrestling is still hosting a firewood fundraiser. Anyone interested should contact the high school at 208-267-3149 and ask to contact Kevin Campbell.