THE FRONT ROW with JIM LANDERS: Ostrander has Texas-sized wrestling goals at NIC

I have been a long-time wrestling fan and I thought the only kind of wrestling done in Texas was steer wrestling.

North Idaho College's starting 197-pounder; 19-year-old Rade Ostrander, corrected my misconception that Texas was a wrestling desert. His first match victory against Northern Montana in NIC's opening dual caught my attention.

HIS WRESTLING journey started in Michigan 15 years ago at 4 years old. Howard Ostrander enrolled Rade in a children's program. He spent about five years wrestling in Michigan for coach Garrett Scott until a family move took him to Wyoming. He continued club wrestling in Wyoming until another family move took him this time to Texas.

Arriving in Texas, Rade was ready for the sixth grade and continued his wrestling career for the Spartan mat club until high school. 

His freshman year he started competing at 138 pounds and then grew to 157 pounds for his sophomore year. His junior and senior year he wrestled at 215 pounds. 

His junior year he lost in the state finals by one point. His senior year started with struggling to rehab following elbow surgery, but he still managed to go undefeated and win the Texas 215-pound state title.

DURING HIS junior year in high school, he began to wrestle for Team Texas in freestyle as a heavyweight. He became ranked seventh in the nation, which caught the attention of astute NIC assistant coach Cooper Thomas, who knew Texas had more than just steer wrestling.

Cooper invited Rade to come visit NIC and work out with the team. Rade did some homework and was impressed with NIC's storied history under coach John Owen. 

He accepted the invitation and traveled to Coeur d'Alene from Texas with his father, Howard. Both dad and son were enamored by the beauty of the campus. The coaching staff made a good impression and the choice to enroll at NIC was made.

Jade Ostrander has some lofty goals at NIC. His father, who has been a major influence on his success in wrestling to date, has taught him that to be the best you must out-train everyone. Being an old Iowa boy from the Dan Gable days I can assure you that this is gospel. 

NIC is on the road the next couple of weekends. The Cardinals wrestle at home Nov. 21 vs. Clackamas, then again the following day in the Cardinal Duals and the day after that at the Spokane Open.

Come watch freshman Jade Ostrander's career unfold at NIC. You just might be watching history in the making.

Jim Landers is a longtime NIC wrestling supporter. Contact Jim at [email protected]