A Decade of Champions- 2001: a wrestling odyssey

SANDPOINT — It’s tough to tell what was most impressive about the 2001 Sandpoint Bulldogs wrestling team, arguably one of the best ever from the state of Idaho.

Was it when they sent a JV team to the Palouse Invite, which then went on to beat 15 other varsity teams, including Lewiston, Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene, to win the team championship?

Was it crowing 13 champions out of the 14 weight classes at the regional tournament and sending 22 wrestlers on to state?

Was it the 4A record 317.5 points the team amassed to bury the competition at the state meet?

Was it that five of the wrestlers went on to compete in big time college wrestling?

That’s a debate for another day. One thing is certain, they were a juggernaut.

Here is what Coeur d’Alene coach Tom Bailey said after being blown out of a dual meet: “We don’t match up well with Sandpoint. Then again, who does?”

Certainly not Lake City, which lost 70-0 to the Bulldogs, who were strong from 103 pounds through 275 and flat out brutal in a dual meet.

Jake Rosholt, Tony Hook, Luke Feist and Joe Forsman each claimed state titles that year. It was the last of three for Rosholt, and the first of three for Feist, as the pair are on a very small list of three-time Idaho state 4A champions.

Rosholt rarely broke a sweat while dominating in high school, and would go on to become an All-American and National Champion at Oklahoma State. Tony Hook (Oregon State), Luke Feist (Stanford), Jason Cates (Boise State) and Chris Feist (Portland State) all went on to leave their mark in the collegiate ranks.

It marked the first of three consecutive state titles for head coach Mike Randles, a run similar to the Dan Taylor-coached squads of 1994-96, which also accomplished the three-peat.

 Quote of the year: “I’m relieved,” junior Tony Hook told the Bee after winning state. “I came in here and everyone was gunning for me. I thought all tournament what I would do if I lost. In my mind, I don’t think there is anyone in the state, in my weight, that is better than me. I just had to make sure I didn’t make a mistake.”

See tomorrow’s Daily Bee for a look back at the 2001 boys and girls soccer teams, rounding out the 2001 state champs.