Bulldogs sixth at Rocky Mountain Rumble
COEUR d’ALENE — Casey Randles remained undefeated on the season, not just winning the 182-pound bracket at the Rocky Mountain Rumble in Coeur d’Alene over the weekend, but garnering the meet’s Outstanding Wrestler Award in the process.
Randles was one of a handful of Bulldogs to earn podium spots, as Sandpoint finished in sixth place overall among 19 teams.
“Casey continued to roll with an aggressive style that’s been paying off all year,” said Bulldog coach Mike Randles. “Winning a bracket that included the top ranked 5A, 4A, and co-3A wrestlers in the state.”
Tyler Presser (160) finished third, after losing a controversial match in the semis, and continues to get stronger as the season progresses.
“Tyler was upended in the semis on what could best be described as a pair of controversial calls,” described Randles. “Nonetheless, he responded well, scoring a pair of solid wins and likely establishing himself as the top ranked 160-pounder in the 4A.”
Owen Stebbins finished fourth at 170 pounds, after getting pinned by Kellogg in the third/fourth place match. Zach Alamillo (220) also finished fourth, on a late pin against Mountain Home.
“Zach continues to improve, bouncing back from a disappointing loss in the second round to knock off the fifth ranked wrestler in 4A by pin,” said Randles, who was happy with his team’s overall finish considering three starters were injured and a fourth, Tucker Hall, was injured in the tournament. “Sixth place isn’t great, but not bad with all things considered.”
Other Bulldog placers included Mahonri Hunsaker, who finished strong in the final match with a pin over Cheney to finish fifth, and sixth place finishes from Casey Oleson (98) and Tanner Kohal (145).
The Bulldogs are young at 98-120 pounds, with Oleson, Micah Holub (106), Mason Bangeman (113), and August Johnson (113) in action, but the group as a whole scored the most tournament points to date, a bright sign for the future of the program.
“For whatever reason, the competition tended to magnify some of the positions we needed to work on,” said Randles. “Despite their collective inexperience, our smaller guys are learning to compete at the varsity level.”
Other Bulldogs in action were Tucker Hall (126), Preston Bunty (138), Dean Ramey (152), Elijah Guthrie (160) and Calum Wilcox (195).
Sandpoint will host 5A Lake City in a dual on Wednesday.