Before there was Post Falls, there was Coeur d'Alene.

Prior to the Trojans going on their run of five state wrestling titles in six seasons, the Vikings were coming off back-to-back state titles in 2010 and '11.

All those years later, Coeur d'Alene has the horses — er, the wrestlers — to challenge for another state 5A title, when the state high school wrestling tournaments unfold today and Friday at Holt Arena in Pocatello.

"We like our chances with five guys getting to the finals," Coeur d'Alene coach Jeff Moffat said.

The Vikings produced six Region 1 champions last week — Dylan Moffat (138), Porter Craig (145), Demarco Piazza (152), Sebastian Prangley (160), Gunner Giulio (170) and Rylan Rogers (195).

Giulio is trying to become Coeur d'Alene's first four-time state champion. Rogers won at 195 last year.

All told, Coeur d'Alene qualified 16 to state.

Meridian, which last year won its first state title since 1987, qualified 24 to state.

Moffat said even when a team has numerous state champions, state often becomes a numbers game.

"It’s not quality, it’s quantity," he said. "We had three state champs last year, more than anybody, and finished fourth. Last year, Meridian scored 50-some points from kids that didn't even place in the tournament. If you win one match, you get points. It's a hard obstacle to overcome. Every guy we take, they’ve got to score some points."

Post Falls finished third last year at state. Kuna was second.

Post Falls qualified 20 wrestlers to state (only two of which are seniors), including regional champions Rider Seguine (98), Zack Campbell (113), Trey Smith (126), Gentry Smith (182) and Trevor Miller (220).

Tyson Barnhart, a regional runner-up at 120 last week, won a state title at 106 last year.

“This year, maybe more than any, it’s going to be a battle for that top spot,” Post Falls coach Pete Reardon said. “It’s kind of a question mark, but with Meridian, Coeur d’Alene and us being so deep, it’s going to be a great battle.”

Post Falls last won the 5A title in 2020.

“We’ve got our backs against the wall, but we’re going to fight,” Reardon said. “All season, we’ve watched our kids grow. The second and third guy on this team matter, and they’re going to fight hard and come through for us. It’s been neat to see those kids turn the corner and compete like they’ve been doing all year.”

Lake City qualified 10 to state, including regional champ Zach Macdonald (106), state runner-up at 98 last year.

Action in the 5A, 4A, 3A and 2A tournaments begins today at 8:30 a.m. PST.

On Saturday, the championship semifinals are scheduled for 7:30 a.m. PST. The championship finals follow the parade of athletes, which are slated for 2:30 p.m.

For the first time, the Idaho High School Activities Association is sponsoring a girls state tournament, a one-division event to be held alongside the boys tournament.

Coeur d'Alene sophomore Alyssa Randles won a state title last year at 125 pounds, when the tourney was held Feb. 14, 2021 at Pocatello High.

Randles (126) and a pair of Post Falls wrestlers, Abigale Piper (138) and Megan Webster (285) won regional titles last week.

4A: Lakeland qualified eight to state, including regional champions Matthew Williams (113), Lucas Williams (138), Devon Suko (170), Devon Howell (220) and Preston Jeffs (285).

Jerome, which qualified 18 wrestlers, won the 4A team title in 2021. Nampa High returns nine state placers.

3A: Timberlake qualified 11 to state, including district champions Stryker Houston (120), Paul Shaner (170), James Billingsley (195) and Trevor Cady (220).

South Fremont, which has won the previous two 3A team titles, qualified 19 to state, including five returning state placers.

2A: St. Maries qualified nine to state, including district champions Landon Tweedy (120), Kyle Sibert (220) and Landon Warren (285).

New Plymouth, which claimed the 2021 2A title, snapped a streak of six straight titles for Ririe dating back to 2015. New Plymouth returns six state placers from 2021.