SPOKANE - V.J. Giulio of North Idaho College celebrated his 21st birthday his way Sunday, winning the 197-pound championship at the Spokane Open wrestling tourmanent at the Spokane Convention Center.

Giulio avenged a loss earlier in the season to Toby Cheff of Montana State-Northern, who pinned him at the Powell (Wyo.) Open, by beating him by major decision, 14-5 in the finals on Sunday.

Three other North Idaho College wrestlers won titles on Sunday.

Terrance McKinney beat James Roberts of Oregon State 13-7 in the 141-pound final, Jeremy Golding beat freshman Blaine Invernon of Boise State, the former Bonners Ferry High standout, 6-2 at 149, and Taylor Kornoely beat Ben Tynan of Highline Community College 8-4 at 285.

McKinney was the first NIC wrestler to beat Roberts, who defeated a couple other Cardinals in previous years.

"Overall, a really good day," NIC coach Pat Whitcomb said. "A couple of the guys got eight matches, and that's what you're looking for going into break. They wrestled well yesterday (in the Cardinal Duals at NIC), and followed it up with a real good effort today."

Other placers for NIC included Nico Moreno, third at 157; Tyler McLean, third at 165; Johnathon Dennis, third at 174; Bryce Weatherston, fourth at 141; Matt Hopkins, fourth at 184; and Steven Hopkins, fifth at 133.

Garrett Demers of Montana State-Northern, who wrestled at Coeur d'Alene High, was third at 197.

NIC returns to action Dec. 5 against Western Wyoming in Las Vegas, then competes in the Cliff Keen Invitational on Dec. 6-7 in Vegas.