NIC nearly knocks off ranked Montana State-Northern in wrestling opener

COEUR d'ALENE — It was a start.

An almost, really, really good start for the North Idaho College wrestling team.

NIC, with six freshmen in the lineup, finished tied 20-20 with Montana State-Northern, but lost the dual on a total match point criteria in the season opener on Saturday at Christianson Gymnasium.

"It was a really good showing by our guys," NIC coach Derrick Booth said. "It was a really good test and I was proud of the way our guys competed."

Elijah Cater, a freshman from Tacoma, opened the night with a win in 34 seconds for NIC at 125 pounds.

"He threw a cradle and really set the tone early," Booth said. "The guys really fed off of it."

Montana State-Northern is ranked seventh in the NAIA poll.

"We didn't take it easy on them for sure," Booth said. "We brought in a good team and kind of threw ourselves to the wolves. There's also those first match jitters, if we cut weight the right way. All of it plays a factor in it."

NIC returns to action Nov. 10 in a three-team dual with Ellsworth, Southeast and Iowa Falls in Iowa Falls.

125 — Elijah Cater, NIC, p. Kolten Powers, :34. 133 — Zach Lopez, NIC, tf. Leo Anderson, 17-2. 141 — Hunter Bidelman, d. Brennon McDermott, 10-3. 149 — Martin Wilkie, MSN, p. Evan Barajas, 5:09. 157 — Justin Windauer, MSN, d. Porter Craig, 10-3. 165 — Travis Waldner, NIC, d. Devin Crawford, 9-6. 174 — NaKoda Siegel, MSN, tf. Conan Northwind, 21-6. 184 — Rylin Burns, MSN, d. Noah Poe-Hatten, 11-7. 197 — Carl Hansen, MS, d. Bradley Whitright, 7-3. 285 — Tominiko Takafua, NIC, d. Gabe Walker, 4-1.

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