While the NJCAA tournament is still a few weeks away, the top two teams in the nation will face off to determine the Region 18 tournament today in Coos Bay, Ore., starting at 10 a.m.

North Idaho College, which enters as the top-ranked team in this week's NJCAA poll, along with second-ranked Clackamas Community College of Oregon City, Ore., will be joined by Highline Community College of Des Moines, Wash., and host Southwestern Oregon Community College in the four-team field.

"I don't remember the last time we had the top two teams in the nation in our region," NIC coach Pat Whitcomb said. "With Clackamas being ranked second, it should be a pretty good shootout. We've definitely got to seize the opportunity of having the No. 1 and 2 team in our region. We’ll need to step it up again this weekend. Clackamas is going to want to get the momentum back after we beat them down here last month.”

The top four in each weight class advance to nationals.

“Since we’re hosting nationals this year, we’ll get an extra 10 bids,” Whitcomb said. “With our team, we should be able to qualify all 10 of our guys.”

Champions from regionals also avoid facing other regional champions until the quarterfinals at nationals.

“That really makes winning this weekend all that more important,” Whitcomb said. “If you can avoid having to face another regional champion, it could go a long way in how a team does at the national tournament.”

Highline is tied for seventh in the latest poll.

Jamelle Jones (197 pounds) enters as the top-ranked wrestler in the nation, former Coeur d’Alene High standout Jesse Nielsen (174) is ranked second and former Lakeland High standout Kyle McCrite (125) and Brock Banta (133) are each ranked third.

“Jamelle and those other guys should be able to go in there and get it done this weekend,” Whitcomb said. “We’re healthy and in as good of shape as we’ve been all year long.”

For NIC to claim its 11th straight regional title, they’ll need a complete team effort, according to Whitcomb.

“To win regionals, we’ll need guys like McKray Jones (149) and Justin Korthuis (184) to step up and get into the regional finals. No disrespect to Highline and Southwestern, but I’ve got a feeling that between us and Clackamas, there will be a lot of points scored.”

Entering the tournament as the top-ranked team in the nation, Whitcomb feels like his team is peaking at the right time.

“Right now, I think we’ve got the momentum in our favor,” Whitcomb said. “After the long Christmas layoff, we dropped to third and have moved up. I think we’re ranked No. 1 at the right time.”

Finals are scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.

The entire tournament will be streamed live at www.socc.edu. To view, click on the red button at the bottom of the page called “Event streaming ustream via Facebook.”

Nationals are Feb. 25-26 at the Spokane Convention Center.