NIC finishes strong at home

Kit Major (141 pounds) earned a pin and three other wrestlers won by major decisions to lead the top-ranked North Idaho College wrestling team to a 27-15 win over Simon Fraser University (Burnaby, British Columbia) at Christianson Gymnasium Jan. 23.

It was also Sophomore Night and the starting NIC sophomores made the most of their last match under the light at NIC by picking up wins. Jeremy Golding (149) defeated his opponent 14-4; Nico Moreno (157) beat Josh Punzo 9-0; and in the closest match of the night, NIC’s Derrick Booth (174) prevailed in the final seconds over Reid Watkins 2-1.

“It’s real good to see those sophomores get out there and get a win,” NIC head coach Pat Whitcomb said.

Booth said he knew Watkins had riding time, so Booth was essentially down by a point.

“I had to get that takedown to end the match,” Booth said. “Had to figure out a way to get something done.”

Knowing it was his last home match at NIC, Booth said “you don’t want to go out on a loss.”

NIC won six consecutive matches starting with Marcus Crone at 133 pounds and ending with Booth’s win at 174.

NIC freshman Taylor Kornoely beat sophomore Sean Molle 21-10 in the heavyweight match.

Golding, who is ranked No. 1 in the nation at 149 pounds, is already preparing for the NJCAA tournament Feb. 28 and March 1 in Spokane.

“I’m trying to get in the best shape that I can before nationals,” Golding said. “So just to go out there and push the pace a little bit and really get my cardio going, burn my lungs a little bit.”

The Cardinals will be back in action against No. 13 Iowa Western Community College, No. 3 Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College and No. 2 Northwest College at the Northwest Duals Friday and Saturday in Powell, Wyo., to conclude the regular season.

“We can’t go down there and stumble,” Whitcomb said. “We just got to do things right and then take that momentum into regionals.”

The Region 18 tournament is Feb. 15 in Rock Springs, Wyo. The top four finishers in each weight class from regionals advance to nationals.