Northwest Notes: Feb. 11, 2023
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 3 years, 7 months AGO
NIC to compete in
NJCAA qualifier Sunday
The North Idaho College wrestling team will compete in the West District Championships on Sunday at Clackamas Community College in Oregon City, Ore.
The tournament will begin at 10 a.m., with championship finals at 12:45 p.m.
NIC is seeking its first regional title since 2013.
Cardinals competing will be freshman Kobi Johnson (125 pounds), freshman Brandon O’Brien (133), sophomore Brant Porter (141), freshman Kana’i Tapia (149), sophomore Benjamin Mitchell (157), sophomore Ledger Petracek (165), sophomore Ethan Miller (174), a Post Falls High product, freshman Travis Waldner (184), freshman Bradley Whitright (197) and freshman Shai Murray (285).
“The team has put the work in and built the confidence to go out and win any match we wrestle,” NIC interim coach Derrick Booth said. “It has been a long year on the road, and we appreciate all the support from the fans and the community alike.”
Petracek is a two-time national qualifier and returning All-American after finishing fourth in 2022. Miller also qualified while competing at Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls, Iowa.
The top three in each weight class, plus five wild card entries advance to the NJCAA Tournament March 3-4 at the Mid-American Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
A video link to the tournament can be found on trackwrestling.com.
NIC LINEUP — 125 — Kobi Johnson (25-7). 133 — Brandon O’Brien (7-2). 141 — Brant Porter (26-4). 149 — Kana’i Tapia (24-4). 157 — Benjamin Mitchell (22-7). 165 — Ledger Petracek (6-4). 174 — Ethan Miller (22-12). 184 — Travis Waldner (8-3). 197 — Bradley Whitwright (21-14). 285 — Shai Murray (4-11).