Belgarde leads host of local grapplers into finals
Sandpoint junior Peyton Dillon, pictured working for a pin earlier in the season, won once and lost twice on Friday at the state wrestling tournament in Nampa. The tournament wraps up today. (Photo by ERIC PLUMMER)
NAMPA — So far, so good for Sandpoint wrestler Garret Belgarde (119 pounds), who won twice on Saturday at the state wrestling tournament in Nampa to earn a spot in the championship and lead the Bulldogs during the second day at state.
The No. 1 seed Belgarde (31-4) will be gunning for his second state title today in the finals, facing No. 2 seed Kam Reddish (38-8). Belgarde, who won a title as a sophomore, pinned Skyview’s Luis Gonzales in 5:05 in the quarters, then scored a 6-2 decision over Pocatello’s Nick Anderson in the semis.
Kyle Csizmar (140) is the only other Bulldog still wrestling today, having worked through the consolation round to remain alive for the third place trophy.
Csizmar lost a 12-3 major decision to Emmett’s Aaron Villarin in the quarters, before bouncing back to score an 11-5 decision over Preston’s Daniel Larson in consolation, marking the first time Csizmar (27-13) has won a match where didn’t pin his opponent. He finished a busy day by pinning Blackfoot’s Koty Cook to remain in the hunt for a trophy today.
Peyton Dillon won once and lost twice on Friday, ending his run in a loaded 112 pound bracket. Dillon lost 13-9 in the quarters to Middleton’s Michael Carr, bounced back to pin Nampa’s Andrew Bright in 2:04, before losing his second match 5-2 to No. 2 seed Juan Navarro of Blackfoot.
Justin Pepperdine (189), the fourth Bulldog to win his opening match, was pinned by No. 1 seed Adrian Dickenson of Columbia in the quarters, before losing 10-3 to Nampa’s Andrew Thomas in consolation, ending his tournament.
The championship matches will start at 1:30 p.m. today, and will be webcast live on “www.idahosports.com.”
n Priest River and Bonners Ferry each advance three wrestlers to finals
NAMPA — Priest River and Bonners Ferry each sent three wrestlers into the championship round on Friday at the 3A state wrestling tournament in the Idaho Center.
The Badgers Trevor Hampton (145) and the Spartans Chris Pooley (145) each picked up two convincing wins, and will meet today in an all-IML final.
Priest River’s James Hegge pinned Bonners Ferry’s Reid Borman in the semis to earn a spot in the 130 pound final, and Cody Rabidue made the finals at 160 to lead the Spartans to a 6th place finish after day two at state.
Blaine Invernon (119) and Ben Watt (140) also advanced to the finals, as the Badgers trail Snake River by just two points heading into today’s pivotal finals.