Most college wrestlers will admit that often times, their coach is like a father to them.

In only rare cases can that coach say that they were at the hospital the day you were born.

On March 1, they'll also look to do something only a few can dream about - win a national title just a few miles from where they grew up.

High school teammates Jeremy Golding (149 pounds) and Tyler McLean (165) of Mead High in Spokane, as well as Nicolas "Nico" Moreno (157) of Moses Lake are just three of the guys attempting to help the North Idaho College wrestling team repeat at NJCAA champions this year.

Golding and Moreno are sophomores, McLean a freshman.

"Coach (Pat) Whitcomb and my high school coach Phil McLean had a good relationship," said Golding, a sophomore. "They used to be college roommates and I've had a relationship with some of the coaches through high school. It just seemed like a good fit for me. They seemed pretty interested in me, and NIC is a pretty good wrestling team, so I just decided to come here."

Phil McLean, Tyler's dad and a former NIC wrestler, has been Mead's coach for the last 14 years.

"I've just been around this program a lot," Tyler McLean said. "My dad helps at a lot of the summer camps and I've known the coaches here for a long time. I just like the area."

Whitcomb has also been around McLean - a lot.

"I was at the hospital when Tyler was born," Whitcomb said. "Him and my son Phillip grew up together and his dad and I have known each other forever."

Whitcomb added it's like coaching his son at times.

"It's a little odd coaching him because you still think of him as a 3-year old," Whitcomb said. "But he's not 3 anymore. He's a heck of a wrestler and it's really nice having him on your side. He's been at birthday parties at the house, Fourth of July's and everything, but he'll give you 100 percent every time out."

Moreno handed McLean his final two losses as a junior in 4A regional and state championship matches.

"He was a tough kid," McLean said of Moreno. "We'd been wrestling a bunch throughout the year, so when we wrestled, we had a lot of respect for each other."

McLean and Moreno faced each other four times in 2012, with McLean claiming a win in the first match and Moreno winning the final three.

"I knew he was coming here," Moreno said. "I thought it was really cool that I was going to get a chance to be his teammate."

Golding believed that McLean coming to NIC was the right fit for him.

"He had the ability to go Division I, but this just worked out for him," Golding said. "I don't think it would have taken a lot of convincing, because it would be a lot different if they weren't as known for wrestling, and one of the best wrestling schools in the nation."

Moreno and McLean often times wind up practicing together at NIC.

"It's like a battle for every takedown," McLean said. "But it's a friendly competition and that's what makes you better."

Being alongside Golding as a teammate again has been a thrill for McLean.

"It's really nice having him in the room," McLean said. "We always had a tough (wrestling) room at Mead, so Jeremy and I used to work together a lot. It was really cool, and to be on the same team with him now, it's really cool."

The trio room together on road trips to tournaments.

"It's pretty cool getting a chance to hang out with them," Moreno said. "I never thought I'd get the chance to know them like I do now."

Moreno added that he and Golding often went to the lake last summer.

"We haven't had much of a chance to do that lately because it's the middle of wrestling season," Moreno said.

Being so close to home, Golding added, has given him a place to escape at times.

"I really like it a lot," Golding said. "I can go home on certain weekends if I want and still have a pretty good relationship at home. And they can still come and watch us compete."

Off the mat, everybody looks out for everyone else.

"They're both really sincere guys," McLean said. "Jeremy is about the nicest guy you'll ever meet in your life. He might be scary on the mat, but he's always encouraging the other guys. And the same with Nico. They're both just funny, nice guys."

"We all joke around a bit, but they're all nice, genuine guys," Golding said. "We're all kind of friends because we've known each other since high school. They're always behind you as teammates in your matches and want the best for you out there. They're always in your corner and cheering you on."

"Golding just goes hard in every match," Moreno said. "It's hard to explain, but the way he competes and the way he wrestles, is something that I'd like to do."

Nationals being just a short drive from their hometowns has all three ready for the event Feb. 28-March 1 at the Spokane Convention Center.

"I knew it was going to be a big thing when it was in Spokane a few years ago," Golding said. "I figured I'd be here when NIC got to host it again, so I was really looking forward to it. It was in the back of my mind, at least, but it didn't completely sway me either way to come here or not."

"I'm kind of glad it's at home because my family will be able to come and watch," Moreno said.

"I think it's more exciting," McLean said. "Not a lot of people get a chance to win a national title in their own backyard. This is a time to have fun and wrestle like you can."

Whitcomb has trust that all three will come through when it counts.

"All three are just Grade A guys," Whitcomb said. "Us pulling Tyler out of a redshirt was a good move for us and he fits right in being a hometown guy. They kind of feed off each other and are each other's biggest rooting fans for sure."