WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW: Sandpoint boys, girls wrestling has the makings of a state championship caliber team
Sandpoint junior Jorden Tyler (left) and senior Shane Sherrill pose for a photo after winning the Battle for the 'B' cup against Bonners Ferry last year. Both Tyler and Sherrill return to the team after capturing 4A District 1-2 titles last year.
(Courtesy Photo)
SANDPOINT – Sandpoint wrestling has been on a roll the last couple of years. In 2022, the Bulldogs won their first 4A District 1-2 Championship since ’08; In 2023, the team had seven individual district titles and 10 wrestlers who advanced to the 4A state tournament. Under first-year head coach Josh Ratigan, and with a plethora of returners and newcomers, Sandpoint will look to do much of the same in 2024.
Having been some form of a volunteer or assistant coach for the last 17 years, coach Ratigan is very capable of leading the boys team towards more titles. Ratigan also happens to have graduated from SHS in 2003, a time when he and the wrestling team won back-to-back-to-back 4A state championships. Ratigan said after some uncertainties with last year’s coaching staff, he decided to put his hat in the ring for the position.
“What these boys did last year was nothing short of amazing,” Ratigan said. “They did very well, and at times, did not even know who their coach was and then had a coach step in and do what he could. I just didn’t want that to happen again – I’m here for the long haul.”
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