The Bonners Ferry high school gym was as busy as it’s been all season, as it played host to the annual Conrad Garner wrestling tournament on Feb. 7. The Badgers placed sixth out of ten teams, with Taylor Dodd finishing first in his bracket and three other Badgers placing fourth. 

Conrad Garner was a Bonners Ferry wrestling coach, teacher, dean of students and athletic director before his retirement in 2020. He served as the wrestling coach for 34 years, with his wrestlers winning several state championships. 

At this year’s tournament, Taylor Dodd won both of his matches as he continued a fine season. He now has a record of 36-3 in his junior year. 

Robert Kelsey won two of his four matches by a combined score of 20-3. His second victory over a Sandpoint opponent was a ferocious battle that Kelsey had the upper hand in throughout.  

Colt Barras also won two matches, with the second against a come from behind win, defeating a Timberlake wrestler by submission, despite being on the defensive for most of the match. 

Gaige Johnson won one game to move to 27-17 on the season. He now has 101 wins in his high school career. 

Ethan Matthews hurt his leg in his opening match and will likely be out for several weeks. However, he still managed to defeat his opponent by a score of 11-6 with a pin. 

Eivind Falck placed fourth, in large part due to a 20-9 victory in which he threw his opponent around the mat in a dominant display. Aiden Dodd also placed fourth in his bracket. Both of his victories came through submitting his opponent. He has 82 matches in the 2025-26 season, with 44 wins. 

There were seven teams on the girls side of the tournament. Aubree Graves did not wrestle, but Kylie Calderone finished in fourth place with the highlight being a 9-6 victory over a Sandpoint wrestler. 

Post Falls, Lake City and Lakeland finished on the podium places. Bonners Ferry finished ahead of Sandpoint, Priest River, Lakeside and Kootenai high schools. 

    Colt Barras produces a headlock as he ended the match victorious.
  

Eivind Falck attempts to defeat his opponent near the edge of the boundary.