They’ve been through countless battles.

Reached the top of their respective weight classes at the state 5A wrestling tournament.

And now, three Post Falls High wrestlers will try to make the climb again at the toughest tournament in the Northwest starting Friday as the 40th Tri-State Invitational begins at North Idaho College.

James Ost, Tyler Booth and Cole Jesienouski, all seniors, all defending champions, are seeking the same thing — their first championship in the prestigious tournament.

“We’re a really good tournament team,” Jesienouski said. “We’ve got people that fall in the right weights. If we can do that, we can score more points.”

Last year, with the expectations to contend for a state title, the Trojans finished seventh at the 5A meet after two straight sixth-place finishes in 2009 and 2010. State this year is Feb. 24-25 at Holt Arena in Pocatello.

“We’re really talented this year,” Ost said. “Our biggest thing will be staying out of trouble and helping each other out.”

“We expect a lot from this team this year,” Jesienouski said.

Booth and Ost practice against each other and are cousins.

“We’re real close,” Ost said. “We’re workout partners in practice and we’ve been on the same team since we were 6 years old.”

“We’re both really good and continue to push each other on the mat,” Booth said.

Jesienouski joined them in the Post Falls wrestling club when they were 8 and won a state 5A title at 171 pounds. He also played forward on the Trojan boys soccer team that finished 1-2 at state.

“It’s been pretty cool,” Jesienouski said. “I looked at it (playing soccer) as a chance to make me a better wrestler. I feel like coming into this year, I’m better conditioned for the season.”

Booth played football for the Trojan football team, starting at linebacker.

“I’d try to play other sports, but it would just hurt me,” Booth said. “It’s a whole different kind of conditioning.”

Ost won the state title at 135 pounds, finishing the year 35-3, and also won at 125 as a sophomore in 2010. He went to state at 119 as a freshman, but did not place.

Booth won the state title last year at 140 pounds, finishing the year 46-3. Booth was third as a freshman in 2009 at 125, and fourth as a sophomore in 2010.

Jesienouski finished 40-6 last year.

“Watching those two guys win last year,” Jesienouski said, “knowing that I had a chance to win a title of my own and be a champion like them really motivated me.”

“I was happy to have won my match before they wrestled,” Ost said. “I was just as excited before their matches, but didn’t have to worry about my match anymore.”

Jesienouski, who placed fifth as a sophomore, knew once he saw Booth and Ost win, he had the confidence to win his match at 171 pounds also. Last weekend, Jesienouski won the 170-pound championship at the Inland Empire Classic at Central Valley High in Spokane.

Booth and Ost finished third last weekend in the team’s first tournament of the season.

Post Falls coach Pete Reardon has noticed a change in his three returning state champions in the three weeks of practice thus far.

“I think it’s another year of maturity,” Reardon said. “Last year, we went through some challenges. Whether it was eligibility or injury problems, these guys realized they’ve got one more shot at it this year. They’ve returned more focused and determined to live up to their ability.”

Post Falls is a favorite to win a team title at Tri-State, which features over 50 of the best programs in Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Montana. The tournament begins at 10 a.m. on Friday, with quarterfinals beginning at 7 p.m.

Action resumes on Saturday with the wrestlebacks at 9 a.m., semifinals at noon and the finals tentatively at 5 p.m.

Cost is $20 for an all session pass or $10 per session. Seniors and students are $15 for all sessions.

“I don’t think I need to get a win to be successful,” Ost said of Tri-State. “If I can win a match, it will help us big in getting closer to the team title.”

Ost was runner-up as a sophomore at Tri-State at 125 pounds and has received some interest to wrestle in college, but is unsure on which level to compete in.

“I’d like to go to a two-year school,” Ost said. “But I’m planning on continuing my career next year somewhere.”

Booth also would like to wrestle in college.

Jesienouski is keeping his options open between wrestling and soccer.

“With wrestling, even though it’s a team sport, it is just you out there,” Jesienouski said. “You can’t blame anything on anyone else if something goes wrong during a match.”

The trio also credit Reardon, who is in his third year as coach, for helping them progress in their careers.

“He’s a really positive coach,” said Jesienouski of Reardon. “He relates to us really well.”

“He’ll do anything for us,” Ost said. “We don’t feel afraid to talk to him if something isn’t working in practice or during a match. During the offseason, he’ll take us to a tournament or camp to make us better.”

“He really helps us wrestle to the best of our abilities,” Booth said.

Reardon added the trio’s success is a result of buying into the method he has been trying to teach.

“They’re more focused that they’ve ever been,” Reardon said. “All the guys have really seemed to buy in. Each of them has individual goals — but also want what’s best for the team.”

“I don’t think there’s any pressure on either of us to do well,” said Ost of wrestling with his cousin. “In the end, we’re happy for each other win or lose. It doesn’t matter what happens.”

“This is a really talented group,” Reardon said. “They have a lot of ability, which is nice to have. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know these kids. They are good, awesome kids that want to work hard and be successful. How could that not be an enjoyable thing for a coach? I’ve been really blessed to have worked with them.”