Defending champs take an early lead
SANDPOINT — The opening day of the Inland Northwest Wrestling Championship ended with Libby, the two-time defending tournament champs, leading the 12-team field at Sandpoint Middle School.
Auburn, Wash., is holding onto second place, 9.5 points behind the Loggers, with a score of 67.5. The Sandpoint Bulldogs are third with 63.5.
Bulldogs advancing to the semifinals are Tim Pepperdine at 103-pounds, Alec Ward (112), Joey Fio (119), Cody Kritzeck (135), Gale Belgarde (135), Kyle Meshcko (140) and Sheldon Cramer (215).
Other locals wrestling in semifinal matches on Saturday are: Lakeland, Dustin Springer (112), Brandon Paluniuk (125), Nate Birdsell (135) and Scott Underhall (160); Bonners Ferry, David Hayes (130), Adam Hall (145), Travis Stolley (171) and Don Dinning (189); Priest River, Kelly Miller (140), Ryan Miller (145), Mike Ramsey (171) and Issac Myers (189); Lake City, Aaron Stephens (125), Nick Vaudreoil (189), Mike Vickhammer (215) and Don Sohler (275); Timberlake, Mike Barnhouse (130) and Blake Cord (275); Kellogg, Michael Ryan (125).
Matches continue today at 10 a.m. with the finals scheduled to start at 5 p.m. at the middle school.
Inland Northwest Championships
Team scores — Libby 77, Auburn 67.5, Sandpoint 63.5, Clarkston 60, Priest River 47.5, Colville 45, Bonners Ferry 43, Lakeland 43, Lake City 39.5, Renegade (JV) 38, Timberlake 21.5, Kellogg 13.
Semifinal matchups
103 — Matt Sencenbaug, Aub, vs. Tim Pepperdine, Spt. Tyson Larsen, Clk, vs. Loren Nelson, Lby.
112 — Alec Ward, Spt, vs. Dustin Springer, LL. James Vanessen, Ren, vs. Matt Babino, Clk.
119 — Joey Fio, Spt, vs. Brett Young, Aub. Dustin Christense, Col, vs. Kyle Ames, Lby.
125 — Brandon Paluniuk, LL, vs. Michael Ryan, Kel. Aaron Stephens, LC, vs. Tyler Bowles, Aub.
130 — David Hayes, BF, vs. Bryce Line, Clk. Mike Barnhouse, TL, vs. Boomer Peak, Lby.
135 — Jason Fairley, Clk, vs. Cody Kritzeck, Ren. Gale Belgarde, Spt, vs. Nate Birdsell, LL.
140 — Kurt Swartz, Aub, vs. Kyle Meshcko, Spt. Kelly Miller, PR, vs. Seth Cummins, Lby.
145 — Adam Hall, BF, vs. Matt Lindquist, Col. Ryan Miller, PR, vs. Shane Onufer, Aub.
152 — Tyler Roshau, Aub, vs. Cody Heathron, Ren. Zach Christense, Col, vs. Time Spencer, Lby.
160 — Scott Underhall, LL, vs. Jordan Divis, Col. Chase Jackson, Aub, vs. Nils Unger, Lby.
171 — Travis Stolley, BF, vs. Mike Ramsey, PR. Dusty Rebel, Clk, vs. Jake Spencer, Lby.
189 — Wes Braun, Clk, vs. Issac Myers, PR. Don Dinning, BF, vs. Nick Vaudreoil, LC.
215 — Jake Grahm, Lby, vs. Mike Vickhammer, LC. Brad Phillips, Clk, vs. Sheldon Cramer, Spt.
275 — Blake Cord, TL, vs. Don Sohler, LC. Ricky Hall, Col, vs. David Howard, Ren.