A decade of champions: Brothers get Feisty-y
SANDPOINT — The 2002 Sandpoint wrestling team had a little bit of everything: A sterling reputation to uphold, an undefeated wrestler, a national ranking and four more individual state champions to add to the ever-expanding list.
But perhaps the most memorable moment came in an historic state final, when two brothers squared off with the 4A 160 pound state championship on the line.
After boasting arguably the best SHS team in history in 2001, the 2002 group was eager to fill the big shoes, and didn’t disappoint. Bonners Ferry coach Conrad Garner might have said it best after his team fell 58-6 in a dual, with the Badgers’ lone win coming by way of forfeit.
“If you come here, you face the top level,” Garner told the Bee after the match. “I wanted to let my kids find out what the best is like. Sandpoint definitely has the best here.”
n 2002 Sandpoint wrestling
ROSTER: Jeremiah Watson, Justin Watson, Spencer Andrews, Eric Lichty, Dan Roos, Steve Bangeman, Manny Medina, Gale Belgarde, Reggie Ross, Tony Hook, Jason Cates, Eric Roberts, Chris Feist, Jared Rosholt, Quinn Walkington, Josh Ziegler, Cody Kritzeck, Justin Ziegler, Luke Feist, Chad Coon, Brian Kelly, Josh Flynn, Josh Ratigan and Brian Taylor.
A sub-headline in the Daily Bee proclaimed “Brothers get Feist-y for crown” the day after the state tournament. For the first time in Idaho state wrestling history, two brothers competed in the finals, with senior Chris Feist beating sophomore Luke Feist 2-0 in an emotional final.
Head coach Mike Randles sat back quietly and watched, saying the coaches had seen it coming and “hardened ourselves for it.” Luke, who had won a state title as a freshman and went on to wrestle for Stanford, flipped a coin prior to the final and determined he would wrestle all out against his older brother, reverence be damned.
Also claiming titles that year were senior Reggie Ross (145), senior Tony Hook (152) and freshman Jared Rosholt (189). Hook, who wrestled at Oregon State, went a perfect 35-0 on the season. He claimed his third state championship by tech falling his opponent 22-6 midway through the second period, scoring takedowns before letting his opponent up to repeat the process.
“Basically, someone can pin in the finals and say ‘he caught him,’” Hook said after the final. “But if you beat a guy 22-6, there ain’t much they can say about it.”
Sandpoint was ranked No. 17 in one national poll, and suffered its only loss of the season to nationally-ranked Hermiston at the Best of the West Duals.
Quote of the Year: “There’s no words for it. Me and that kid do everything together,” said Chris Feist, who would wrestle at Portland State, after beating his younger brother in the final. “I’m just glad me and my brother had a chance to do it together. It’s not good to beat your little brother, but it just seems like if one of us is there, so is the other.”
See tomorrow’s Daily Bee as A Decade of Champions turns the calendar to 2003.