SPIRIT LAKE — Saber Blackmore (120), Brandon Williams (126), Israel Johnson (145), Eli Leyden (160) and Taylor Dodd (285) won the district championship for Bonners Ferry at the two-team state qualifying tournament at Timberlake High on Thursday, Feb. 15.

Timberlake received forfeit for the 98 and 106 weight classes. Timberlake’s Jacob Rade (113) won by pin over Bonners Ferry’s Eivind Falck in the second period. Falck finished in second place. 

“Earlier in the tournament to qualify, Eivind beat out a Timberlake kid he had lost to earlier ijn the year,” Bonners Ferry head coach Travis Stolley said. “The final was a tough fight, if Eivind sticks with it, he’ll go places. With him taking second it was a good upset for us.”

Saber Blackmore (120, 33-13) became a two-time district champion when he pinned Timberlake’s John Wingfield at 1:03. 

Brandon Williams (126, 28-5) won out over Timberlake’s Paul Sundstrom, earning his third 3A IML district championship. At state last year, Williams beat out Sundstrom in the consolation bracket to place. 

Stryder Liermann (132,19-21) faced off against Timberake’s Ayden Meehan (132, 28-17). The match was back and forth and could have gone either way. Ultimately Meehan won by an 11-8 decision. 

“It was a really close match, which shows Stryder’s improvement,” Stolley said, noting Liermann’s growth from losing by a major decision to only a few points. 

Fellow Badgers had to duke it out for the 145-pound championship with Israel Johnson winning by pin over Keenan Maas. This theme continued at the 160 weight class with Eli Leyden pinning Alex Stolley, at 4:33.

Freshman, Taylor Dodd (285, 30-11) made quick work of his opponent, pinning Timberlake’s Caleb Alverson in 30 seconds. Dodd was the heavyweight champion at the Conrad Garner Invite in Bonners Ferry. 

“Taylor has shown improvement, if not more than other wrestlers,” Stolley said. “At Tri-state he lost ot a Lakeland kid and later in the season beat him. He works hard everyday and although he’s a quiet guy, he has a mean streak in him when it comes to getting on the mat. When he puts on a show it’s a lot of fun to watch.” 

The freshman weighs 235, but has been very successful at the 285 weight class, Stolley said. 

Timberlake claimed its second straight district title, beating Bonners Ferry 241-198. 

Stolley said all season the theme has been improvement by the young team.

The top two wrestlers in each weight class advanced to the state 3A tournament on Feb. 23-24 at the ICCU Dome, formerly known as Holt Arena, in Pocatello.

Wrestlers also advancing to state for Bonners Ferry include Eivind Falck (113), Stryder Liermann (132),  Keenan Maas (145),  Alex Stolley (160), Jacob Solt (170), Illikai Aitken (160), Gage Kunsky (195) and Blake Heimer (220). 

Unfortunately, due to a consistent rib injury, Gage Kunsky will not be competing at state. 

“That’s one injury you can’t hide in wrestling,” Stolley said. “The entire sport is based on core strength. 

Stolley said the focus for the state competition is to not worry about wins or losses, but to gain experience and use the tournament as a measuring stick for competition and improvement. 

The team’s mentality is to get down to Pocatello and represent Bonners Ferry well, he said. 

TEAM SCORES — 1, Timberlake 241. 2, Bonners Ferry 198.

(Top two to state)

CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES

98 — Sawyer Hutson, TL, received a bye. 106 — Wyatt Carey, TL, received a bye. 113 — Jacob Rade, TL, p. Eivind Falck, BF, 2:12. 120 — Saber Blackmore, BF, p. John Wingfield, TL, 1:03. 126 — Brandon Williams, BF, p. Paul Sundstrom, TL, 2:13. 132 — Ayden Meehan, TL, d. Stryder Liermann, BF, 11-8. 138 — Chris Schmidt, TL, p. Cayden Knight, TL, 4:51. 145 — Israel Johnson, BF, p. Keenan Maas, BF, 1:01. 152 — Cole Hanely, TL, md. Carter Loutzenhiser, TL, 13-2. 160 — Eli Leyden, BF, p. Alex Stolley, BF, 4:33. 170 — Jonathan Hansen, TL, p. Jacob Solt, BF, :27. 182 — Luke Schell, TL, p. Illikai Aitken, BF, 2:53. 195 — Isaiah Morehead, TL, p. Gage Kunsky, BF, :39. 220 — Briley Arnett, TL, p. Blake Heimer, BF, :30. 285 — Taylor Dodd, BF, p. Caleb Alverson, TL, :30.

SECOND-PLACE MATCHES 

138 — Cayden Knight, TL, d. Hunter Pope, BF, no challenge. 145 — Keenan Maas, BF, d. Mason Shively, TL, no challenge. 152 — Carter Loutzenhiser, TL, d. Gaige Johnson, BF, no challenge. 160 — Alex Stolley, BF, p. Lincoln Wyndham, TL, 2:35. 170 — Jacob Solt, BF, d. Fisher Timmins, TL, no challenge. 

    Saber Blackmore goes for a takedown in the championship round of districts.