Three former SHS wrestlers in NCAAs

SANDPOINT — For the second time in five years, Sandpoint High School’s wrestling program ranks among the nation’s leaders in producing NCAA qualifiers. Former Bulldogs Joey Fio, Jared Rosholt and Luke Feist all qualified for this year’s NCAA Championships, which get underway Thursday at the Scottrade Center in St Louis, Missouri.

Fio, a true sophomore for the Oklahoma Sooners, qualified for his second straight national tournament by capturing the Big XII Championship with a 5-3 decision over No. 8 ranked Tyrel Clark of Iowa State. The former two-time Idaho state champion is currently ranked No. 7 in the nation at 125 pounds.

Junior Jerad Rosholt, who finished third at last year’s NCAA Championships, has spent most of the season as the No.1 ranked heavyweight in the nation. The Oklahoma State Cowboy, who is currently ranked No. 3 in the nation, is expected to be one of the top challengers for a national title. Rosholt is the younger brother of Jake Rosholt, who captured three Division I titles for the Cowboys.

Rosholt’s former SHS teammate Luke Feist, a senior for the Stanford Cardinal, will also be pursuing All American Honors. It is Feist’s third appearance at the national championships, making him the 12th Cardinal to ever qualify for three national appearances. The former three-time Idaho state champion has moved up an unbelievable two weight classes since last year’s championships, from 174 to 197 pounds. Feist received an at-large invitation after completing a season in which he defeated three different ranked opponents en route to finishing third at this year’s Pac 10 Championships. 

The national championship semis will be televised on ESPN2 on Friday at 4 p.m. The finals will be carried live on ESPN, Saturday at 3:30 p.m.