Flathead first at Tri-State
The Daily Inter Lake
COEUR d'ALENE, Idaho - The defending Tri-State Tournament wrestling champions appear to be in a repeat mode.
Flathead has pushed five wrestlers into the semifinal round and has eight more still active in the wrestlebacks after first day action on Friday.
As a result, Flathead tops the field with 111 1/2 points. Lake Stevens, Wash., last year's runner-up, is second, 105, and Deer Park is third, 95.
Libby is tied for 20th and Polson is tied for 22nd.
"It was an awesome day," Flathead coach Matt Owen said.
"It's the best day they have wrestled to this point of the season.
"I thought it was great," Owen added.
"I'm really happy with the kids."
Flathead became the first Montana team to win the Tri-State Tournament last year in a number of years. The Braves did it by amassing 208 points, finishing 53 points ahead of the runner-up.
Advancing to today's semifinals for FHS are: Shawn Lau (125), Ryan Swelland (112), Alejandro Calderon (119), Bryce Stacy (152) and Tyler Thomas (heavyweight).
Lau finished second here last year as Flathead had three finalists.
In the wrestlebacks for FHS are: Joaquin Calderon (125), Tanner Beaman (130), Dan Jenkins (140), Caleb Allen-Schmid (145), Ryan Thiel (145), Ian Damon (160), Paul Streich (215) and Connor Thomas (heavyweight).
"We had a great week of practice," Owen said.
"Last weekend (Mining City Duals) was an eye-opener for us. They know they really have to push themselves to get to the point that we need to."
Tri-State Tournament
Friday
Team Totals
1, Flathead, 111.5. 2, Lake Stevens 105.0. 3, Deer Park 95. 4, Moses Lake 84.5, 5, Riverside 84. 6, Tahoma 80. 7, East Valley 59. 8, Auburn 57. 9, Post Falls 56. 10, Coeur d'Alene 51. 11, Sentinel 50. 12, Lakeside 49. 13, Mead 48. 14, Republic 46. 15, Auburn-Mountain View. 16, Lakeland 38. 17, Ferris 31.5. 18, Newport 29. 19, Mt. Spokane 28.5. 20, (tie) North Central, Libby 28. 22, (tie) Sandpoint, Polson 27. 24, Moscow 19. 25, (tie) Emerald Ridge, Mary Walker 18. 27, Tonasket 17. 28, Lake Washington 15. 29, Ocosta 13. 30, Lake City 11. 31, Kittitas 6. 32, Freeman 4.
Today's Semifinal matchups
103 - Andrew Palmer, Cd'A vs. Garrett Belgarde, Spt; Chad Booth, PF vs. Jarod Maynes, CV.
112 - Josh Heinzer, LS vs. Ryan Swelland, Flat; Blake Adams, DP vs. Nathan Brown, NC.
119 - Jack Stilwell, LS vs. Alejandro Calderon, Flat; David Peralez, ML vs. Bryan Baumgarden, Lakeside.
125 - Kyle McCrite, LL vs. Jacob Lauderdale, LS; Braden Mowry, Cd'A vs. Shawn Lau, Flat.
130 - Justin Hodge, Riv., vs. Josh Lauderdale, Lakeside; T.J. Peretti, AMV vs. Steven Walkley, Lakeside.
135 - Scotty Bacon, Rep., vs. Daniel Swain, NP; Tyler Vela, ML vs. Tyler Lamb, Tahoma.
140 - Jordan Rogers, Mead vs. Brandon Richardson, LL; J.J. Gubler, Rep., vs. Ty Fouty, Pol.
145 - Jacob Anderson, LS vs. Thomas Pfeiffer, ML; Chris Tripplet, EV vs. Chase Florez, Riv.
152 - Sam Villegas, ML vs. Bryce Stacy, Flat; Cody Miller, DP vs. George King, LS.
160 - Brandon Leliefeld, DP vs. Nic Price, EV; Jacob Mason, U-Hi vs. Brock Picard, Pol.
171 - Nick DesRoches, Riv., vs. John Merickel, Mos; Blake LeHuquett, LS vs. Dustin Johnson, U-Hi.
189 - Jake Swartz, Aub vs. Teddy Femau, MS; Jace Prideaus, Sent. vs. Dakota Lawson, EV.
215 - Cole Amende, PF vs. Konner Knudston, Tahoma; Justin Graham, Lib. vs. Grant Haschak, LW.