WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW: Sandpoint boys wrestling seeing record turnout

LAST SEASON: 4A District 1-2 runner-ups, nine state qualifiers, 11th at 4A State Championship.

COACHES: Josh Ratigan (head coach, second year), Casey Oleson (assistant coach), Doc Wright (assistant coach), Owen Stebbins (assistant coach).

WRESTLERS TO WATCH: Jorden Tyler, sr.; Gavin Walters, sr.; Jeremiah Palmer, jr.; Ashlei Hawkins, sr.; Aidan Rork, sr.; Jackson Holman, jr.; William Bomba, jr.; Tyler Wood, fr.; Zak Wood, fr.; Daniel Holman, fr.; John Holman, fr.

The numbers are in. 

Over 70-plus athletes are out for the Sandpoint High boys wrestling team this season. With numbers this high, and with a star-studded freshman class, it's safe to say that Bulldog wrestling is on track to getting back to winning ways.

"It has been the craziest turnout I've ever seen and it's impressive to see the sport growing like this," Sandpoint High second-year head coach Josh Ratigan said. "I'm ecstatic about it. I had to throw my gameplan out the window after the first day because I've never had to coach this many kids before."

Ratigan said normally, at least as of late, only 35 to 40 wrestlers would be on the mats together, but this year, there has been upwards of 65 wrestlers practicing in one room at the same time. To help out with coaching, Ratigan has brought on 2019 SHS graduate Casey Oleson, 2017 SHS graduate Owen Stebbins, and Doc Wright, a former collegiate wrestler in Texas, to the staff.

"The greatest thing I've seen lately is the amount of alumni coming back," coach Ratigan said. "I've seen more alumni come back this year than in the last eight years. We've had so many people wanting to come out, it's been unbelievable. It translates to the kids getting some of the best coaching they could possibly ask for."

One athlete who's absorbing that coaching is senior Jorden Tyler, who finished with a 30-plus win season and was second at 195 pounds last season. He was the first Bulldog to reach a 4A state finals match since 2016.

"Jorden's that one guy you can count on, and in that same weight class I'm looking at Jeremiah Palmer," coach Ratigan said. "He's going to push Jorden to the brink. In my opinion, I have the best two 190-pounders in the state."

Senior Gavin Walters also makes a return at heavyweight. Walters won the Conrad Garner Invite last year and is one of the Bulldogs' seven returning state qualifiers.

"Gavin's back and is looking really really good," coach Ratigan said. "As a matter of fact, (William) Bomba is going to go heavyweight this year. It's incredible to have two great guys in that heavyweight class. I truly expect a lot from both of those guys this year."

Senior Aidan Rork, who qualified for state at 113 pounds last season, is another wrestler to watch out for. Ratigan said the way he commands the room as a captain is amazing.

"It's been really different; practices have been really hard and Aidan keeps pace," coach Ratigan said. "I'm looking towards him and Ashlei Hawkins to do really big things this year."

Ratigan said that in addition to all of the aforementioned, there are two sets of freshman twin brothers who are set the make an immediate impact this year — John and Daniel Holman, brothers of returning state qualifier Jackson Holman, and Tyler and Zak Wood.

"John and Daniel are incredible and I can't speak enough about the Wood's boys," coach Ratigan said. "The Wood's will be in our lower weight classes, 98 and 120, and I expect them to make a massive splash this year."

Ratigan said he believes his squad, who placed second last year at the 4A IEL District 1-2 Championships, is really close to where they need to be to bring that trophy back home to Sandpoint.

"Lakeland's a really well-coached team and they have pieces where we don't, but I do believe we can give them a run for their money this year," coach Ratigan said. "Our numbers are good, our returners are good... I think we have a really good shot."

Ratigan said that the key to a successful season is going to come down to the Bulldogs' battles in the third round. Last year, Sandpoint was 1-9 in the third round at the 4A State Championship.

"Last year, first year as a head coach, I think I made the mistake of not talking in third round," coach Ratigan said. "If the boys win three or four matches in that third round, we're a top five team... that's what it's going to take."

Overall, Ratigan said he's more than excited for the season, which begins on Dec. 13-14 at North Idaho College's Tri-State tournament.

"It's one of those things where you wish it could all start now," coach Ratigan said. "I'd love to see where we end up and put on a good show. I really think, both girls and guys, we're top five teams in the state."

Wrestling Schedule

12/13-14 — Tri-State Tournament @ NIC 

12/14 — Girls @ Lakeland, TBA 

12/17 — @ Priest River, TBA 

12/20-21 — George Wild Tournament @ Kellogg 

12/27-28 — @ Lakeland Duals 

1/2-4 — Rollie Lane Tournament @ Nampa 

1/10-11 — River City Duals @ Post Falls 

1/10-11 — Hellgate Tournament @ Missoula 

1/15 — @ Coeur d’Alene, TBA 

1/17 — Battle for the Paddle @ Home 

1/18 — Ted Keto Tournament @ Thompson Falls 

1/22 — @ Kellogg, TBA 

1/23 — @ B-Cup/Bonners Ferry, TBA 

1/31-2/1 — North Idaho Rumble @ Coeur d’Alene 

2/5 — vs. Lake City, 5 p.m. 

2/7-8 — Conrad Garner Tournament @ Bonners Ferry 

2/12 — @ Lewiston, TBA 

2/14 — vs. Moscow, TBA 

2/15 — Girls @ Lake City, TBA 

    Sandpoint High senior Jorden Tyler, who placed second in the state at 195 pounds last season, pins an opponent from Priest River during a dual last year at Sandpoint High.