Top Dog wrestlers finish season in style

POST FALLS - Twelve Top Dog wrestlers captured hardware at last weekend's State Folkstyle Championships at Post Falls High School. This year's field included nearly 500 wrestlers from across the state.

Leading the charge for the Top Dogs was Gage Sigman, who has now captured multiple state titles. Sigman posted four consecutive victories, including a decisive victory in the finals over his opponent from Lewiston.

Runner-up Adam Bucholtz knocked off five consecutive opponents to capture his 16-man bracket but lost a tightly contested overtime battle when competing in the championship cross-over round. Scout Nash advanced to the finals, posting three consecutive victories before coming up short, finishing second in a very competitive field.  

Also posting multiple victories to reach the finals were Hyrum Hunsaker, Mason Bangeman and Owen Stebbins. Hunsaker's championship loss was his first and only loss on the season.

Casey Randles rebounded from a tough first round loss to post four consecutive wins, including a hard fought win over teammate Dean Ramey in the consolation finals to finish third. Also bouncing back through the consolation finals to finish third were Tyler Presser and Tanner Kohal. Both Presser and Kohal secured come-from-behind victories to earn their hardware. Presser fought off his back to secure the fall while Kohal overcame his deficit with a well-timed cradle for the win.

In addition to Ramey, the Top Dogs grabbed a pair of fourth place finishes, including Blake Sherrill and Braden Payne. Both of whom posted multiple wins for the Dogs.