NJCAA WRESTLING: Cards get going, sit sixth after first day

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa — At this point, you’ve got to go with what got you there. 

On Friday, North Idaho College got it going. 

Redshirt freshman Dylan Block (174 pounds) and freshmen Colton Tucker (157) of Coeur d’Alene High and Seth Martin (184) advanced to the semifinals of the NJCAA wrestling championships at the Mid-American Center after wins in the quarterfinal round on Friday. 

“Our guys have been wrestling really well,” third-year NIC coach Derrick Booth said. “We came in with nine guys, and six of the nine are All-Americans (top eight finishers in each weight).” 

Freshman Parker Ballantyne (141), sophomore Ray Griffin (285) and redshirt freshman Colton Theobald (165) are alive in the consolation bracket. 

“Parker coming back and getting a win after losing twice to a kid from Clackamas earlier in the year was huge,” Booth said. “Our conditioning right now is really good and what has been our biggest key in the tournament.” 

NIC added Dylan Lemry, a strength and conditioning coach this season. 

“He’s been a big addition to the staff,” Booth said. “We took a look at ourselves after last year and where we could get better and do to be in our best position for this time of year. And it’s proven to be a big deal.” 

NIC is sixth with 86.5 points. Western Wyoming of Rock Springs, Wyo., leads the tournament with 136.5.  

"At this point, it’s about self-belief,” Booth said. “We go out and find the hardest matches we can, and our guys feel comfortable when it’s close. We told them that they control their destiny from here, and they just need to believe in themselves and good things will happen. Our freshmen are here now, competing hard and letting it all hang out. They’ll be exciting to watch tomorrow.” 

TEAM SCORES (Top 30) — 1, Western Wyoming 136.5. 2, Indian Hills 125.5. 3, Clackamas 101.5. 4, Iowa Central 100. 5, Southeast Nebraska 99. 6, North Idaho 86.5. 7, Cowley 78.5. 8, Pratt 62. 9, Muskegon 61. 10, Northwest 58. 11, Iowa Western 57. 12, Northeastern Oklahoma 52.5. 13, Niagara 52. 14, Harper 49. 15, Andrew 44. 16, Rochester 43. 17, Northeastern 37.5. 18, Southwestern Michigan 37. 19, Carl Albert State 35.5. 20, Nassau 29. 21, Big Bend 27.5. 22 (tie), Triton, Cloud County 25.5. 24, Garrett 25. 25, Onongaga 205. 26 (tie), Camden County, NIACC 18.5. 28, Iowa Lakes 17.5. 29, Colby 16.5. 30, Labette 16. 

NIC RESULTS

CHAMPIONSHIP BRACKET 

Round of 64 

125 — Ryan Tschetter, Rochester, p. Owen Pritchard, NIC, 1:20. 

133 — Hoyt Hvass, NIC, had a bye. 

149 — Joe Sullivan, NIC, had a bye. 

174 — Dylan Block, NIC, p. Will Abrams, Southwestern Oregon, 3:27. 

184 — Seth Martin, NIC, had a bye. 

197 — Jackson Lougen, NIC, had a bye. 

285 — Ray Griffin, NIC, had a bye. 

Round of 32 

133 — Luke Potter, Cloud County, d. Hoyt Hvass, NIC, by disqualification. 

141 — Parker Ballantyne, NIC, p. Leif Ingebretsen, Minnesota West, 1:29. 

149 — Joe Sullivan, NIC, d. Darik Soucia, Onon, 4-1. 

157 — Colton Tucker, NIC, md. Kalvin LaPlant, Labette, 17-6. 

165 — Colton Theobald, NIC, . Tf. Cah’mari Johnson, Colby, 21-0. 

174 — Dylan Block, NIC, p. Jory Garrett, Carl Albert State, 1:53. 

184 — Seth Martin, NIC, d. Gabe Tesher, Thaddeus Stevens, 7-0. 

197 — Jackson Lougen, NIC, d. Tyzel Zachry, Northern Oklahoma, 8-3. 

285 — Ray Griffin, NIC, p. Ryan Escamilla, Northeastern, 3:27. 

Round of 16 

141 — Parker Ballantyne, NIC, p. Trevor Copes, Niagara, 1:49. 

149 — Jahkari Clark, Indian Hills, tf. Joe Sullivan, NIC, 22-7. 

157 — Colton Tucker, NIC, d. Cameron Cannaday, Garrett, 4-3. 

165 — Colton Theobald, NIC, d. Riley Brewer, Andrew, 3-0. 

174 — Dylan Block, NIC, p. Tyson Poyer, Harper, 2:54. 

184 — Seth Martin, NIC, d. Matteo Monteiro Furtado Tresse, Umpqua, 4-2. 

197 — Tony Palmer, Iowa Western, md. Jackson Lougen, NIC, 13-1. 

285 — Brodie Daugherty, Lackawanna, d. Ray Griffin, NIC, 16-12. 

Quarterfinals 

141 — Dmitri Alarcon, Western Wyoming, d. Parker Ballantyne, NIC, 16-13. 

157 — Colton Tucker, NIC, d. Hixon Canto, Western Wyoming, 8-5. 

165 — Mohamed Tarek Abelhady, Indian Hills, d. Colton Theobald, NIC, 4-3. 

174 — Dylan Block, NIC, p. Matteo Nikolov, Iowa Western, :21. 

184 — Seth Martin, NIC, d. Johnathan Clohecy, Indian Hills, 13-7. 

CONSOLATION BRACKET 

Round of 32 

125 — Owen Pritchard, NIC, p. Julian Orrantia, Barton, 1:37. 

133 — Keon Gavin, Garrett, d. Hoyt Hvass, NIC, by disqualification. 

Round of 16 

125 — Chris Kulb, Camden County, p. Owen Pritchard, NIC, 1:34. 

149 — Joe Sullivan, NIC, md. Noah Obinna, Garrett, 15-6.  

197 — Preston Hagel, Pratt, md. Jackson Lougen, NIC, 13-0. 

285 — Ray Griffin, NIC, p. Logan Clayburn, Southwestern Oregon, 2:02. 

Round of 8 

141 — Parker Ballantyne, NIC, d. Cade McCallister, Clackamas, 9-5. 

149 — Reggie Raiz, Clackamas, d. Joe Sullivan, NIC, 5-0. 

285 — Ray Griffin, NIC, p. Brandon Schoenecke, Carl Albert State, 1:09; Ray Griffin, d. p. Jude Bears, Northeastern Oklahoma, 1:17.