Tiger matmen send 15 to state

MHHS second at district; Knudson, Lord win district titles

The Mountain Home Tigers finished second at the district tournament over the weekend and will send 15 members of the team to the state tournament this week at the Idaho Center in Nampa.

Chris Knudson and Colby Lord won district titles, Knudson at 171 pounds, where he beat team mate Matt Ward for the title, and Lord at 189 pounds.

The Tigers had a narrow lead after the first day of the District III 4A Wrestling Tourney at Kuna last Thursday, but Columbia came through strong Friday to win the District title.

Columbia scored 350.5 points to take first, ahead of Mountain Home's second place effort of 308.5. Nampa was third with 290, Kuna, a distant fourth with 157.5, followed by Emmett, 136, Middleton, 130, Skyview, 79.5, and Bishop Kelly, 31.

Mountain Home will be sending 15 wrestlers to the State Wrestling Championships at The Idaho Center in Nampa Thursday through Saturday.

After Knudson and Lord, second-place finishes went to Ward, Kaeo Doronio (130 pounds), Ty Kleffner (135), Nico Pinque (140) and Calvin Vivier (145).

T.J. Billinger finished third at 119 pounds.

Kamron Spaulding (152), Tanner Carpenter (160) and Luke Loomis (189) all finished fourth.

Fifth-place medals went to Chris Vogl (135), Cody Staebler (145), Tim Hazelbaker (152) and Tucker Martin at 215 pounds.

"It was nice to see Colby Lord getting his first district championship, and also Chris (Knudson)," said Tiger wrestling coach Lynn Knudson.

"Chris and Matt (Ward) ended up being in the same weight class and had to wrestle each other (for the title).

"We do have to get a little bit better on our feet, get a little more aggressive as far as getting the first takedown. We really struggled with that (getting the first takedown) at district, and we've got to improve on that a lot, with better stances, taking more aggressive shots and good shots, those have got to get better.

"I think we're coming off the bottom (position) real well, and we're breaking people down (from the top position) pretty well, but I think where we're lacking now is on our feet, being aggressive and staying in good position."

Coach Knudson hopes they have good efforts at state, and can bring home a state crown.

"It's a long shot for us, but if we just have a good three days over there, I feel some really good things can happen to our team. Taking 15 over there, or if it was even less than that, if the kids have a good tournament, you could end up in the fight for first place, so I'm going to keep it positive and I think we still have a shot at it, and I know that we have the kids to do it.

"Like I said, we just have to have a very good tournament and need to tune up a few things, and if we do, great, great things will happen for our team. We're looking forward to it, and, as coaches, we hope to see what we can do to get our team through that state tournament."

Coach Knudson likes the fact that state is in Nampa this year rather than Pocatello, so he is hoping for a good fan following, since it will be closer this year.

"We had a great crowd at the district tournament, which was really good to see, and it (state) is on this side of the state this year, and I think a lot of people will come and watch us, so we're looking forward to that and I know the kids are, too."