For the week of March 12 - 18, 2003

State wrestling
wraps up season

Eight Wolverines gain experience

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Eight Wood River High School wrestlers gained valuable experience before big crowds during last weekend’s 46th annual Idaho State Wrestling Championships in Pocatello.

Coach Danny Turner’s inexperienced state squad won only four of their 16 matches—led by 135-pounder Duane Miller, 145-pounder Robert Wiesen and 189-pounder Casey Markwell—but the Wolverines learned what it’s like to be there.

Turner said, "The kids gained a lot of experience. It was disappointing to work so hard and not do very well at state. The kids realized they have to work harder. I think they’re motivated to do that."

The team banquet is tonight, Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Wood River Middle School.

Markwell (22-20, 37-84 career) was the only senior in Wood River’s state delegation. He won his first match, by a 1:57 fall over Shayne Hill of St. Maries, then Casey was pinned in the second round by eventual state runner-up Dave Johnson of Shelley.

Familiar foe Brad Butler of Kimberly ousted Markwell with a second-round pin in the consolation draw.

Miller (31-13) won twice in the consolation bracket after a 15-8 opening-round loss to Nick Martell of Weiser. Miller captured an 18-2 technical fall over Dusty Brown of St. Maries and then pinned Justin Witback of Sugar-Salem at 2:33.

Wiesen (32-17, 61-46 career) dropped his opening match 12-4 to Teton’s Willard Jackson, then bounced back with a 3-2 decision over Brenton Williamson of Bear Lake. Wiesen exited with a 7-5 loss to fourth-place Luke Stout of Weiser.

Going two-and-out for Wood River were junior Russell Adams (15-18) at 140 pounds, junior Brandon Silvia (24-18) at 152, sophomore Greg Lyons (25-17) at 160, freshman Sid Watson (21-17) at 103 and freshman Dustin Selner (16-12) at 215.

In the 26-team 3A division, Wood River wound up with 10.5 points for 25th place, just ahead of Filer. Sugar-Salem of Sugar City (229.5) captured its second straight State 3A title and seventh in 12 years by 71 points over Snake River of Moreland.

Sawtooth Central Idaho Conference champ Kimberly was fifth with 125 points, four points out of third place. Kimberly sophomore Joey Silva (25-2) won the 171-pound state title and Buhl senior Russell Wiersma (35-1) prevailed at unlimited.

Defending their state titles were Snake River senior Todd Turpin (30-4) at 119 pounds, Ryan Price of Sugar-Salem (41-2) at 189 and Casey Merrill of Bear Lake (44-0) at 215.

 

Other 3A state titlists:

Freshman Josh Strait of Marsh Valley (34-3) at 103; freshman Shawn Jones of Snake River (36-3) at 112; senior Talon Vickers of Weiser (41-0) at 125; senior Devin Harris of Bear Lake (37-9) at 130;

Junior Cody Plant of Snake River (34-4) at 135; junior Jon Pluid of Bonners Ferry (30-11) at 140; senior Clint Leonard of Lakeland (33-0) at 145; senior Darren Wilding of Sugar-Salem (44-5) at 152; senior Andy Gerber of Snake River (33-2) at 160.

Challis was the biggest team winner, pocketing its second straight 2A team title with a 326-139 runaway over North Fremont. Oakley won
1A. Sandpoint took its third straight 4A championship 251-237 over Blackfoot, with Mountain Home third. And Eagle (240.5) nailed down its second 5A crown in three years.

 

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