Northwest Notes Feb. 14, 2026

NIC wrestling starts path

to nationals today in Oregon

The North Idaho College wrestling team takes the next step toward the NJCAA Tournament today with the Region 18 Championships starting at 10 a.m. on the campus of Southwestern Oregon Community College in Coos Bay, Ore. 

“Right now, there’s a lot to like about this group,” third-year NIC coach Derrick Booth said. “We’re well tested, competing in some of the biggest duals and tournaments in the country this season, and our guys are in a good head space now. I think we’re in a good spot to go and perform well this weekend.” 

Ray Griffin, a sophomore from Pleasant Grove, Utah, is the defending regional champion at 285 pounds, and went on to finish fourth at nationals. Hoyt Hvass, a sophomore from Lewiston High, was third at 133 at regionals last year, when it was held at North Idaho College. 

Colton Tucker, a freshman from Coeur d’Alene High (157) and freshman Seth Martin from Post Falls High (184) will compete for NIC. 

“I think all 10 of our guys will be fighting for a regional title,” Booth said. “Colton and Seth both have some great opportunities as well. All of them are proving that they’re ready to wrestle for a regional title.” 

Clackamas won the regional title last year after North Idaho College won in 2024, its first title since 2013. 

The top four in each weight class (presuming all seven teams bring full lineups) advance to nationals March 6-7 at the Mid-American Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Five wild cards are also available.

NIC REGIONAL COMPETITORS 

125 — Owen Pritchard (18-9). 133 — Hoyt Hvass (13-4). 141 — Parker Ballantyne (19-12). 149 — Joe Sullivan (4-2). 157 — Colton Tucker (24-8). 165 — Colton Theobald (15-6). 174 — Dylan Block (22-9). 184 — Seth Martin (19-10). 197 — Jackson Lougen (15-7).  285 — Ray Griffin (19-6). 

WSU announces 2026 football schedule

Washington State University Athletics announced its football schedule for the first year of the new Pac-12 football season, highlighted by home conference matchups against Fresno State and Boise State, nonconference matchups against Washington, Kansas State and Arizona, and a flex game the final week of the regular season.

Next season's schedule has the Cougars playing six home and six road contests, featuring games against three opponents for the first time.

The Cougars open up the 2026 slate at Washington in the Apple Cup, Saturday, Sept. 5. The following week, Sept. 12, WSU travels to Manhattan, Kan., to face the Kansas State, marking the first meeting against the Wildcats.

WSU returns to Pullman for three straight games, opening the home schedule Saturday, Sept. 19 against Duquesne in the first meeting between the schools. The Cougars then face former conference foe Arizona on Sept. 26 at Gesa Field. WSU’s first conference matchup in the new Pac-12 will come Saturday, Oct. 3 against Fresno State at Gesa Field. The last meeting between these two teams came in 2024, a 25-17 Cougar win in Fresno.

The Cougars return to the road for two straight Pac-12 games away from Pullman, facing Utah State on Oct. 10 in Logan, and at Oregon State on Oct. 17 in Corvallis. WSU concluded its 2025 season with a 34-21 victory over Utah State in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.

Oct. 24 sees Boise State return to Pullman in conference play for the first time since a thrilling, 47-44 triple overtime Cougar victory at Gesa Field. The following week, WSU travels to face San Diego State on Oct. 31 for a Pac-12 game. 

The season’s lone bye week comes Nov. 7 after nine straight games. Following the bye, the Cougars welcome Colorado State to Gesa Field on Nov. 14 in a Pac-12 game. The final road trip of the season comes when WSU visits new Pac-12 opponent Texas State in San Marcos, Nov. 21.

The final week of the season is a flex week by the Pac-12 Conference, Saturday Nov. 28. At this point, the Cougars are projected to face Oregon State, though the Pac-12 retains the right to adjust matchups based on the best interests of the league, including College Football Playoff considerations at that time.

The Pac-12 Championship game matchup will be held Friday, Dec. 4 at an on-campus site.

Dates for WSU's 2026 homecoming and Family Weekend games will be announced at a later date.

Vandals name Begnal 

special teams coordinator

MOSCOW — Idaho head football coach Thomas Ford Jr. announced the hiring of Joe Begnal as special teams coordinator. 

“He was my right-hand man in 2022 when I was the special teams coordinator (at Idaho) and has since been to three FBS schools, improving his craft,” Ford said.

Begnal spent the past two seasons at Michigan State, where he was an assistant special teams coordinator. He was on staff at Memphis in 2023.

No stranger to Moscow, Begnal also spent time with Colorado State and with Idaho as a special teams quality control coach. 

Begnal spent the 2017-19 seasons coaching wide receivers at New Haven, and also spent a year at Lincoln University (Mo.) where he was defensive coordinator and linebackers coach in 2016.