Newport defeats Priest River in pin filled contest

PRIEST RIVER – The Newport Grizzlies wrestling team traveled to Priest River Thursday, Jan. 23, where they won seven matches by pins. The Spartans took three matches by pins, leaving only one match to be decided by points and each team forfeiting two matches. Newport won the non-league dual match 54-33, taking home the Battle of the Border trophy.

“The match with Priest River was a great start to the Battle of the Border festivities,” Newport coach Daniel Swain says. “We showed up in a big way and were fired up going in.”

The only match that went the distance was the 132-pound Orion Grimes Tyson Nunley match, won 15-12 by Priest River’s Grimes.

Swain says Nunley, a freshman, was down 14-1 in the first round before rallying against Grimes, a senior, to lose by 2.

Then Newport’s Nate Shaw took on Priest River’s returning state champion Colm McLaimtaig at 144. While McLaimtaig won by a pin a little over a minute into the match, Swain says Shaw, a sophomore, wasn’t intimidated.

“McLaimtaig is an incredible wrestler looking to become a two-time state champion this year,” Swain says.

Priest River coach Quinton Holbrook says the dual went well overall and that the crowd was not disappointed with the event.

“They had us on depth (of roster) this year and they have some very tough kids,” Holbrook says.

Newport then got a series of pins, starting with Marcus Teeples at 150, pinning Priest River’s Austin Mulligan in 33 seconds. Then Newport’s Harlen Anderson, who came up from JV to replace an injured Parker Warren at 165, pinned Daniel Hoisington in 13 seconds. Robert Warren pinned Mason Davis in 33 seconds at 175 and at 190 Ares Swain pinned Gunnar Eversole in the third round.

Priest River’s Darien Ratzlaff pinned Landen Pillers at 215 in the first round.

Newport’s Roman Tannehill pinned Caleb Grow in the 285-pound class.

Returning to the lightweight classes, Newport moved freshmen Payton Bennett and Allysah Bays up from the girls’ team.

Priest River decided to move their 98-pounder, Levi Holbrook, up to 106, giving Bennett a forfeit.

Bays made quick work of Holbrook, pinning him in less than 20 seconds.

At 113 Priest River’s Jack Zalewski won by forfeit.

Newport’s Hunter Coe pinned Liam Pettit at 120.

Priest River’s Bill Rapier pinned Cody Andrea at 126.

Newport boys now turn their attention to post season, which starts next week after the Tuesday, Jan. 28, league dual meet at Chewelah. The Tuesday meet happened after The Miner went to press.

Priest River has an away dual at St. Maries Wednesday, Jan. 29 at 5:30 p.m. Then it’s off to the North Idaho Rumble Friday, Jan. 31 (TBA).