NAMPA — Four Sandpoint wrestlers claimed wins in their first round matches as the state wrestling tournament kicked off Thursday at the Idaho Center in Nampa, as the Bulldogs finished day one in 15th place.

No. 1 seed Garret Belgarde (29-4) pinned Madison’s Tad Wilson at 2:49 in the 119 pound bracket, setting up a second round showdown today with Skyview’s Luis Gonzales.

No. 3 seed Kyle Csizmar (25-12) registered a pin in 1:44 against Century’s Shade Smith at 140 pounds, and will face Emmett’s Aaron Villarin in the second round today. It was the 25th win of the season for Csizmar, all by way of fall.

No. 5 seed Peyton Dillon (23-10) made quick work of Blackfoot’s Kohl Bingham, securing a pin at 1:38 to set up a second round match against Middleton’s Michael Carr. Dillon hopes to show that records mean very little at state, as Bingham sported a 25-4 record, while Carr’s is 31-5.

No. 8 seed Justin Pepperdine (22-12) scored an 8-4 win over Bonneville’s Jordan Vielma, earning the right to face Columbia No. 1 seed Adrian Dickenson in the second round today.

Dakota Blaese (125 pounds) and Troy Goodman (135) fell victim to tough brackets, each drawing the No. 1 seed in the first round. Blaese was pinned by Shelley’s Chase Call (51-3) in 1:45, while Goodman lost 16-1 by technical fall to Columbia’s Austin Powell (37-4).

Josh Allen (160) was pinned by Columbia’s Spencer Salinas at 4:57, Josh Wren (171) was pinned by Columbia’s Jacob Garcia at 1:12 and Matt Lockey (215) was pinned by Kuna’s Gary Blair at 2:18 to round out the Bulldogs first round matches.

The Bulldogs struggled in the first round of consolation, with all five wrestlers getting eliminated from the tournament. Lockey lost 5-4 in a tight match to Rigby’s Bruce Anderson, Goodman lost 9-2 to Pocatello’s Sam McClellan, Allen lost 16-1 to Butch Hyder of Bishop Kelly, Blaese was pinned in 2:09 by Blackfoot’s Austin Summers, and Wren was pinned in :49 by Hillcrest’s Jace Holt.

Second day action continues today, with a live webcast on “www.idahosports.com.”

n Spartans, Badgers make noise in 3A bracket

NAMPA — Eight Bonners Ferry wrestlers and six Priest River wrestlers won their opening matches in 3A action on Thursday.

No. 1 seed James Hegge (130), Kole Acre (135) and Chris Pooley (145) each registered a pin to lead the Spartans, who also picked up first round wins from Cody Rabidue (160), Tanner Rogers (171) and Jarrod Gloe (189), as a host of Spartans will vie for podium spots.

The Badgers were led with first round wins from Josh Tucker (103), Blaine Invernon (119), Reid Boorman (130), Ben Watt (140), Trevor Hampton (145), Brandon Schmitz (152), Zach Heigel (171) and David Willems (215) as the Badgers finished day one in third place overall.