Spartans wrestle strong against Lake City, place six at Blizzard JV Tournament
Priest River's Keith Poirier (top) attempts to pin Sandpoint's Braden Norris during a 126-pound bout on Dec. 4 at Les Rogers Court.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
SANDPOINT — Priest River wrestling wrapped up its second week of action this Saturday with the Blizzard JV Tournament at Sandpoint Middle School.
Caeden McLaimtaig, Dylan Lord, Shayd Wong-Yuen, Keegan Poirier, Matyus McLain and Landon Reynolds all placed for the Spartans. Lord led the way capturing first in the 126-pound B bracket. He pinned all three of his opponents.
Lord is fresh off a stellar cross country campaign that saw him finish 50th at the 3A state championships.
Wong-Yuen took second in the 138-pound C bracket. McLaimtaig (120), Keegan Poirier (152A), and Reynolds (195) all placed third in their respective weight classes and McLain secured fourth in the 170-pound A bracket.
"I'm very happy with the wrestling these young men are doing," head coach Quinton Holbrook said.
Sixteen Sandpoint wrestlers also placed at the tournament. Forest Ambridge (113), Christian Troumbley-Karkoski (170A), Khyrin Riddle (170B), Matt Thurlow (220A) and Carson Bosse (220B) all placed first in their respective divisions. Andrew Duke, Robert Newsom, Calvin Hinds and Carson Laybourne took second; Seth Albany and Jordan Birkhimer captured third; and Kayelin Johansen, Braden Norris, Raphael Eldridge, Kai Mckinnon and Brit McBrayer secured fourth.
On Thursday, Priest River headed to Lake City to take on the Timberwolves in a dual. Lake City was originally scheduled to face Kellogg, but the Wildcats had to back out due to quarantine restrictions. The Spartans picked up the match last minute and showed the 5A Timberwolves why they won't back down from a challenge.
Priest River forfeited four matches and the schools double forfeited at 98 and 113 pounds, but the Spartans captured four victories over the Timberwolves.
At 120 pounds, McLaimtaig pinned his opponent in 4:54 to give Priest River its first win of the dual. Keith Poirier stepped on the mat right after him at 126 pounds and outlasted Lake City's Blaine Leonard, who finished fifth at state at 106 pounds last season, 9-2.
Aidan Troumbley followed that victory with one of his own at 132 pounds, pinning his opponent in four minutes.
Bradley Bennett captured the final victory for the Spartans, pinning Lake City's Gage Morgan in just 26 seconds in a 170-pound bout.
Devin Nessel had a tight match with Lake City's Noah Janzen at 138 pounds, falling 7-6. Keegan Poirier lost in overtime at 152 pounds.
Results (Priest River athletes in bold)
Lake City 48. Priest River 21.
98 — double forfeit. 106 — Zach Macdonald p. Hayden Sorbel, 4:30. 113 — double forfeit. 120 — Caeden McLaimtaig p. Damon Brunty, 4:54. 126 — Keith Poirier d. Blaine Leonard, 9-2. 132 — Aiden Troumbley d. Ean Amick, 4:00. 138 — Noah Janzen d. Devin Nessel, 7-6. 145 — Ryley Jurado, LC, by forfeit. 152 — AJ Johnson d. Keegan Poirier, 12-10. 160 — Ayden Vosburgh, LC, by forfeit. 170 — Bradley Bennett d. Gage Morgan, 0:26. 182 — Matthew Whitcomb p. Charles Bennett, :50. 195 — Ian Hampton p. Landon Reynolds, 0:48. 220 — Riley Loughman, LC, by forfeit. 285 — Logan Parson, LC, by forfeit.