NIC WRESTLING: Cardinals run down fifth-ranked Clackamas

By JASON ELLIOTT

Sports writer

COEUR d’ALENE — If it wasn’t obvious that North Idaho College sophomore Colton Theobald was more than eager for his first match in over a year, take the closing moments of his match. 

Theobald trailed 9-8 to Aaron Concepcion in their bout at 165 pounds. 

As Concepcion attempted to get some distance in the circle, Theobald raced toward his ankle, took him down and earned a pin in 4 minutes, 11 seconds. 

That pin gave NIC its first lead of the night at 16-12, one that sparked the Cardinals, ranked 11th in the NJCAA, to a 28-21 dual win over fifth-ranked Clackamas Community College of Oregon City, Ore., at Christianson Gymnasium. 

“It’s been a long process,” said Theobald, who returned Friday after redshirting last year following a torn UCL in his right elbow during training. “I got hurt last year, so just coming back and figuring it out, I just wanted it. My team, we’re coming for it. I knew he was going to break, and I just wanted it more.” 

“We preach attitude and effort,” NIC coach Derrick Booth said. “To see that type of effort, when things aren’t going right, and you face adversity in a match, you’ve got to come back and put it on him. And that’s what that kid’s all about. That’s who he is. And we expect nothing less of him.” 

It is the Cardinals' first dual win over the Cougars since Jan. 21, 2023. 

“Beating Clack is always the best,” Theobald said. “They’re a strong team and well coached. We just wanted it more tonight.” 

Colton Tucker, a freshman from Coeur d’Alene High, won by major decision 21-7 at 157 pounds for NIC. 

“It was awesome,” Tucker said. “Earlier in the year against Montana State-Northern, I let the nerves get to me a little bit. (NIC coaches) Bryce (Parson), (Derrick) Booth and Coop (Cooper Thomas) helped me through it. It was great to have this opportunity to come out and let it fly.” 

Tucker won the state high school 6A title at 165 pounds for the Vikings last year as a senior. 

“We’ve got the best guys in the country in our wrestling room,” Tucker said. “When we’re in there scrapping and going live, you’ll see everything you’ll see in a real match. When you put your foot on the line for a real match, you’re ready for anything.” 

Seth Martin, a freshman from Post Falls High, also had a pin at 184 for NIC, which had seven freshmen compete on Friday. 

“They’re coming around,” Booth said. “We put those guys in the fire last weekend in Iowa, and the entire season. I think they were ready for this dual. We were in a big one last week, and things didn’t go our way. That’s what it’s about is, each match is a learning opportunity and they’re taking advantage of that.” 

With a 22-21 lead, NIC sophomore Ray Griffin — the top-ranked wrestler in the NJCAA at 285 in the preseason poll — closed out the dual with a pin in 2:49. 

“It feels great,” Griffin said. “It’s been a while since we’ve beaten Clack. We’re pretty big rivals, but we’re not rivals anymore because we’re on top right now. I don’t take any pressure from the outside. It all comes from within me. When it’s tied, we go out and do what we need to do. It’s the Cardinal standard, and that’s what we do. It’s been a while since we’ve won some big tournaments and matches, but that time is now.” 

“That kid does all the right things,” Booth said. “You can’t ask anything more of an athlete. He does the right things every single day, and that’s what Ray’s about. He lives the right lifestyle. And the performance just comes naturally. And that’s a tough guy to close a dual and I’m glad I’m not on the other sideline.” 

NIC hosts the Cardinal Duals today starting at 10 a.m., competing against Colorado Northwestern at 10 a.m., and Northwest of Powell, Wyo., at noon. Clackamas wrestles Northwest at 10 a.m. and Colorado Northwestern at noon.

125 — Kelby Bernard, Clack, p. Owen Pritchard, 2:21. 133 — Paris Ruiz, Clack, d. Hoyt Hvass, 7-4. 141 — Parker Ballantyne, NIC, p. George Kovchegov, 2:36. 149 — Reggie Raiz, Clack, d. Joe Sullivan, 4-1. 157 — Colton Tucker, NIC, md. Shaymus Macintosh, 21-7. 165 — Colton Theobald, NIC, p. Aaron Concepcion, 4:11. 174 — Henry Dillingham, Clack, p. Andre Leota, 1:52. 184 — Seth Martin, NIC, p. Ben Gomez, 3:49. 197 — Lusiano Lopez, Clack, d. Rade Ostrander, 5-3. 285 — Ray Griffin, NIC, p. Mark Marin, 2:49.  

    JASON ELLIOTT/Press North Idaho College redshirt freshman Colton Theobald attempts to get the upper hand on Clackamas sophomore Aaron Concepcion during their bout at 165 pounds at Christianson Gymnasium on Friday.
  

    JASON ELLIOTT/Press North Idaho College freshman Seth Martin, the former Post Falls High star, attempts to put the shoulders of Clackamas freshman Ben Gomez to the mat during their match at 184 pounds on Friday.
  

    JASON ELLIOTT/Press North Idaho College freshman Colton Tucker, the former Coeur d'Alene High star, puts the shoulders of Shay MacIntosh to the mat during their match at 157 pounds at Christianson Gymnasium on Friday.