Bulldogs seeking state wrestling title

SANDPOINT — It will be quality, not quantity, that will carry the Bulldogs to a 4A title as the 2007 Idaho State Wrestling Championships begin today in Pocatello.

The Bulldogs boast realistic chances to claim as many as six individual state titles, which would double the current 4A record for one team. Timmy Pepperdine (103 pounds), Alec Ward (112), Joey Fio (125), Kyle Meschko (152), Jerod Morris (171) and Taylor Morris (189) are all seeded either first or second. Head coach Mike Randles says if they wrestle to their abilities, and not beyond them, they have a shot to win all six.

"State is a different environment, so occasionally wrestlers' abilities can become diminished or magnified," says Randles, whose Bulldog teams are in a three-year dry spell after winning three consecutive titles. "I believe our schedule this year has prepared the kids for state as much as a schedule can."

The Morris twins both sport 39-5 records, with eight of their ten losses coming at the hands of nationally-ranked wrestlers. Fio is 15-0 after missing part of the season with a knee injury, and is one of the top wrestlers at any weight or level. Pepperdine is 29-2, with a host of impressive wins under his belt.

Randles is hoping for a strong field so that teams like Blackfoot, Mountain Home and Minico can't just win by virtue of the size of their teams. A strong field means most of their extra wrestlers will go two and out, instead of stockpiling points in consolation. Minico is the defending 4A champion, and Randles expects Lakeland and Pocatello to also be in the running for the team title.

Also competing for the Bulldogs are Colter Sigmund (103), Sid Winter (130), Darren Thompson (130), Leonard Fister (145), Sam Sisson (152), Jacob Knaggs (160) and Jesse Peterson (275).

Action will take place all day Thursday and Friday, with the finals slated for Saturday starting at 2:30 p.m. To see all of the updated tournament brackets, log onto "www.Idahosports.com."