Belgarde into semis at Tri-State Tournament

COEUR d'ALENE - Sandpoint sophomore Garret Belgarde had a strong opening day Friday at the Tri-State wrestling tournament at North Idaho College, posting three decisive victories and earning a spot in today's semis.

Belgarde (103 pounds) scored a 15-4 major decision over Auburn's Steven Chacko in the first round, pinned Tahoma's Steve Hopkiss at 1:47 in the second round, then scored a 12-2 major decision over East Valley's Nick Sweney in the quarterfinals. Belgarde, the lone Bulldog still in the championship bracket, will wrestle at noon today, with the finals slated for 5 p.m. at Christianson Gym.

Weather wreaked havoc on the original draws, as 19 teams were forced to cancel because of inclement weather, including Lewiston, Hermiston and Cedro Wooley, three of last year's top 10 teams. Sandpoint only brought six wrestlers to the meet.

Sid Winter (135) lost 13-9 to Daniel Swain, or Newport, in the quarters and is still alive in the consolation bracket today. He pinned Tahoma's Mike Milat at 3:12 in the first round.

Jacob Porter (119) got a first round bye, then lost 8-6 to Centennial's Cliff Evans. Cliff Csizmar (112) received a bye, then got pinned by Lakeside's Mike Baumgarden in 1:19, and by Post Falls' Chadd Webster in 3:27. Colter Sigman (130) received a first round bye, then lost 4-2 to Keio Salmonson, of Polson, and 8-6 to Central Valley's Trevor Delmedico.

Terry Taylor (275), had a strong day and also remains alive in the consolation bracket today. He beat Coeur d'Alene's Drew Marino 7-2, then was pinned by Flathead's Tyler Thomas in 1:12. In the consolation bracket he pinned University's James Mullenix in 2:04, and Medical Lake's Kabe Fluaitt at 2:13.