POST FALLS — Getting one, it happens.

Twice, that could be a trend.

So when Post Falls senior Jose Laguna notched a 5-3 sudden victory over Meridian’s Hudson Rogers in the semifinals of last Saturday’s Rollie Lane Invitational, it was considered an upset by some.

On Saturday, in the spotlight again in the 26th annual River City Duals, Laguna got Rogers again by a 9-5 decision, punctuated by a slam near the end of the bout to earn the win.

“It gave me a sense of satisfaction,” Laguna said. “I’ve been buddies with Hudson since the eighth grade. I love competing against him and have all the respect in the world for him. But it just felt good to know that I sealed the deal.”

“I think it’s validation,” Post Falls coach Pete Reardon said. “That kid is a couple time All-American and placed in the Fargo Nationals last year. He’s extremely tough, and we’re going in knowing that. And it’s validation for Jose in that ‘he’s the guy that’s not supposed to be winning that match.’ And Jose beat him in the semifinals at Rollie and everyone is thinking, well, maybe he just pulled one off. And I think Jose took exception to that and wanted to prove it again.”

Laguna, Rider Seguine (106 pounds) and Trevor Miller (220/285) went unbeaten on the weekend for the Trojans, who went on to beat Meridian 36-27 in the championship match of the tournament. Toppenish (Wash.) won last year’s tournament, but did not compete this year.

“It feels good,” Laguna said. “It’s a big sigh of relief. I’m happy that we took care of things as a team. It’s a team sport, especially in a dual tournament. It wasn’t just me that brought this home. It was everyone.”

Post Falls won the River City Duals for the eighth time, and the first since 2021.

Post Falls beat Meridian 45-24 in the third-place match in the tournament last year.

“We talked more leading into the semifinals,” Reardon said. “Going back, we lost to Nampa in the semifinals here last year. I just brought that up and remember we lost to them last year and we’ve got a chance to beat them to get to the finals. We told them everything had to be tighter and more explosive and have that kind of mentality. I think our kids were ready to go.”

“We like coming up here and seeing the teams from the north. It’s a good tournament,” Meridian coach Brad Muri said.

Post Falls was runner-up to Meridian at Rollie Lane last Saturday in Nampa.

“They’re just good at wrestling,” Muri said. “They’ve got a good culture and they’ve got some really good wrestlers. They’re just well-rounded. I think it’s going to be whoever competes better at state that is going to take the title home.”

Jaren Knopp (106), Devon Howell (220) and Dylan Scott (170) went unbeaten for Lakeland, which finished fifth in the Gold Bracket.

GOLD BRACKET

Championship

POST FALLS 36, MERIDIAN 27

132 — Tyson Barnhart, PF, d. Kellen Kolka, 8-2. 138 — Tanner Piper, PF, p. Camdyn Crespi, 2:42. 145 — Trey Smith, PF, d. Maxwell Crespi, 8-2. 152 — Jason Mara, Meri, d. Seth Martin, 4-0. 160 — John Rudebaugh, PF, p. Jackson Gallian, 3:20. 170 — Jose Laguna, PF, d. Hudson Rogers, 9-5. 182 — Isaiah Twait, Meri, tf. Keanyn DeGroat, 22-7. 195 — Carson Gooley, Meri, d. Gentry Smith, 3-2. 220 — Malcolm Duthie, PF, p. Micheal Warwick, 2:39. 285 — Trevor Miller, PF, p. Bridjer Bivens, 2:51. 98 — Mason Motley, Meri, md. Jared Wallace, 11-1. 106 — Rider Seguine, PF, d. Gabriel Arnold, 6-5. 113 — Jeremiah Gonzalez, Meri, p. Geoff Brooks, 3:13. 120 — Logan Shaver, Meri, d. Ethan Wilson, 4-2. 126 — Matthew Papa, Meri, d. Zack Campbell, 4-2.

Macdonald second at Jug Beck tourney

MISSOULA, Mont. — Lake City senior Zach Macdonald won his first three matches before finishing second at 113 pounds at the Jug Beck Rocky Mountain Classic at Sentinel High.

Macdonald was pinned in the finals in the second round by Czar Quintanilla of University High, who defeated Macdonald earlier this season at Tri-State.

“That was a great finish; he hadn’t made the finals here before,” Lake City assistant coach Mike Booth said. “He wrestled some really good guys and beat some really good guys. There were some land mines in his bracket. For him to get to the finals was an accomplishment.”

Lake City sophomore Garrett Leonard finished fourth at 170. Leonard trailed 5-0 in the consolation quarterfinals before battling back for a pin, then won another match to reach the match for third and fourth.

“Fantastic performance from him; I can’t say enough about him,” Booth said.

Tanner George of Coeur d’Alene placed eighth at 113.

Coeur d’Alene travels to Lake City on Thursday for the annual TerHark Cup dual.

GIRLS

Three Vikings triumph

MISSOULA, Mont. — Alyssa Randles (126), Brooklyn Anderson (145) and Cara Brown (152) of Coeur d’Alene each won championships at the second Hellgate Women’s Wrestling Invitational at Hellgate High.

For Lake City, Madison Cook was fourth at 132, Alexxis Johnson fifth at 120 and Jalyssa Beach fifth at 145.