COEUR d'ALENE - Guiseppe Dippolito needed a P.E. credit at North Idaho College so he could transfer.

As it turned out, NIC needed a 197-pound wrestler, at least for the first semester.

So far, Dippolito and the Cardinals have been a perfect fit on the mat.

Dippolito, who had never wrestled before showing up in the NIC wrestling room for workouts in August, improved to 2-1 with a pin Friday night as the Cardinals, ranked No. 1 in the NJCAA, routed No. 11 Northwest of Powell, Wyo., 35-6 at Christianson Gym.

"I like the competition," explained Dippolito, on why he chose wrestling for his P.E. credit. "It keeps me going. I feel like if I'm in shape, my brain's more in shape and I can keep up the good grades a little better, too. I always like a little challenge."

Dippolito was at the North Idaho Fair and Rodeo this summer with some friends, one of whom was a former NIC wrestler. One thing led to another, and soon Dippolito wound up talking to NIC coach Pat Whitcomb, who was working in the beer garden, a fundraiser for NIC - an unusual place for a recruiting visit, to be sure.

Dippolito, 21, had played hockey for the Junior B Spokane Braves, and attended Immaculate Conception Academy in Post Falls before coming to NIC.

"When I wrestled him a little bit, I figured out he was strong and is a quick learner,” Whitcomb said. “He just learned some basic moves and is in good shape and works hard. He’s proven you can jump in there and work your tail off and get a chance.”

V.J. Guilio becomes eligible at semester in January, as does another transfer, Curtis Berger, so this weekend might be it for Dippolito in the varsity lineup at 197, though you never know.

He plans to transfer to Idaho, where he said he might try to walk on to the football team.

“That’s always a sport I’ve loved, and I’ve never had a chance to play it,” Dippolito said.

Guilio and Berger and the coaches have helped give him a crash course in wrestling this fall.

“I’m more comfortable now,” Dippolito said. “I’ve got a long ways to go for sure.”

Brock Banta (125) and Michael Rodriguez (133) each won by decision to get NIC started. The Cardinals (4-1) also finished strong, with pins in the final three matches by Caleb Rivera (184), Dippolito and Bryan Smith (285).

“Overall I thought we looked a little flat,” Whitcomb said. “We’ll have to wrestle better tomorrow.”

NIC hosts third-ranked and two-time defending Region 18 champion Clackamas today at noon, then faces Southwestern Oregon at 2 p.m.

“That’s the one that’s going to leave a taste in your mouth all Christmas break,” Whitcomb said of Clackamas. “What do you want it to be?”

Northwest (6-1) had nine freshmen and a sophomore in the lineup Friday night. Trappers coach Jim Zeigler, in his 20th season, pointed to NIC’s experience.

“They’ve got four third-year kids in their lineup,” he said. “I’m proud of our kids’ effort. I think some of the matches might have been closer than the score indicated. When you get in some of these close matches, their experience showed. They were just a little more mat savvy, and I think that’s going to carry them a long way this season.”

125 — Brock Banta, NIC, d. Cody Vichi, 7-5. 133 — Michael Rodriguez, NIC, md. Teancum Guild, 12-1. 141 — Zach Loveless, NW, d. Jarrett Morrill, 2-1. 149 — Jeremy Golding, NIC, md. Jake McCormick, 12-2. 157 — Nicholas Moreno, NIC, d. Colton Thornton, 6-3. 165 — Diorian Coleman, NW, d. Jake Mason, 3-1. 174 — Kyle Sweedman, NIC, d. Cole McArthur, NW, 4-3. 184 — Caleb Rivera, NIC, p. Randy Andrews, 2:19. 197 — Guiseppe Dippolito, NIC, p. Braden Gibson, 2:47. 285 — Bryan Smith, NIC, p. Jade Parsons, 1:53.