'I'm ready to unleash these dogs on the Hawks'

SANDPOINT — Sandpoint wrestling has plenty of motivation coming into this year’s Battle for the Paddle.

Last year, Lakeland crushed the Bulldogs 63-9 in Rathdrum and head coach Jake Stark said his team is eager to turn the tables on the Hawks.

“They took it to us pretty good last year and we didn’t forget about it,” he said. “We’re hungry, we’re going to come after them and bring the fight to them but it’s a different story, it’s at our place this time.”

Senior Isaiah Caralis can’t wait to step foot on the mat and look his Lakeland opponent in the eye.

“I think last year what they did to us was so disrespectful as far as how bad they beat us,” he said, “and I think the hard work that we’ve put in and the passion that we’ve had this year if we don’t take the paddle, I’m not going to be very happy. I think we’re going to win.”

This is Caralis’ first time wrestling in Battle for the Paddle so he’s excited to get a taste of the rivalry. But Caralis doesn’t want to get too hyped so he’s trying to channel his energy and use it during his match.

“I definitely feel we can go out there and kick some butt,” he said. “I don’t care if their as good as they say they are.”

The Bulldogs are taking on a Hawks squad that has some of the top wrestlers in the state and Caralis will be facing off with the third best wrestler in the state at 152 pounds in Lakeland’s Rhonin Edwards, according to IdahoSports.com individual rankings.

In order to win his individual matchup, Caralis said he can’t make any mistakes and needs to focus on what he does best and not play into Edwards’ game plan.

Senior Brady Nelsen has been apart of multiple Battle of the Paddle losses and said it would be pretty special to take down Lakeland in his final season.

“It would be pretty fun especially if I win my match and I feel like I’m a part of it,” he said.

Nelsen said its easy to get caught up in all the anticipation and noise surrounding the event but to him its just another match closer to state and accomplishing his goal of being seeded No. 1 in districts at 145 pounds.

“As a team I think we’re really just focused on taking it one match at a time and winning the matches we can win,” he said.

Nelsen said he’s been helping his teammates understand what Lakeland’s wrestlers like to do because he’s seen them before and knows what to expect.

Taking down Lakeland in Battle for the Paddle was on the team’s mind before the season began, but in order to make it a reality, Nelsen said everyone needs to perform at their best and avoid getting pinned because every point will matter.

Stark said he told the younger wrestlers on the team that opportunities to wrestle in front of thousands of people don’t come around very often so they shouldn’t be intimidated by the moment. Instead, they should embrace it and feed off the energy inside the gym.

Stark is expecting a tight dual that will come down to the wire. He said the outcome could be decided by what weight the ref draws out of the bag to kickoff the match.

Stark believes his team can beat the Hawks in the lightweight bouts, match up with them at middleweights and hang with them at the upper weights so his hoping the ref draws a weight between 98 and 120 so the Bulldogs can start the dual on a high note.

He also added that the best bout of the night will be at 138 pounds between Lakeland’s Riley Siegford, ranked third in the state in his weight class, and senior Malachi Fleck.

“Everyone’s going to be on the edge of their seats for that one,” he said.

The Bulldogs will take the mat at 6 p.m. and Stark can’t wait to show Lakeland what they’re capable of.

“I’m ready to unleash these dogs on the Hawks,” he said.