Every Dog Has It's Day--except the Sandpoint Bulldogs, they've had two years worth.
The Bulldogs captured back-to-back state titles by dominating the A4 field at the Idaho State Championships, Febraury 22-24 at the Nampa Center in Boise.
The Bulldogs, who qualified twenty-one contestants, sent thirteen competitors to the podium, including four champions, on their way to a one-hundred point (99.5) margin of victory over runner up Blackfoot.
The Dogs were most dominating from 145-189 pounds where they advanced six competitors to the championship finals, including the Feist brothers at 160-pounds.
Joining the Feist brothers on the championship mat were Josh Ziegler, 119; Reggie Ross, 145; Tony Hook, 152; Jason Cates, 171; and Jared Rosholt, 189.
The elder of the Feists, Chris, upended his younger and defending champion brother Luke to capture his first state title.
Ziegler, who didn't even qualify for last year's state tournament, established himself as one of the state's best at 119. Having put the state's top seed on his back in the opening seconds of the title match, Ziegler incurred a bloody nose and the match was stopped. Despite a valiant effort, Ziegler finished second.
Ross, who finished third as a sophomore and broke his leg last year, returned to form with a first period pin in capturing his first state title.
Hook concluded a stellar high school career by capturing his third state title, dominating his way through the 152-pound class.
Cates continued to wage his North-South war against his nemisis from Mountain Home. Cates, a two-time state finalist, was upended in double over time and will be pursuing his first state title in 2003.
Rosholt, a freshman whose name needs little introduction, lived up to the family name by capturing the 189-pound class, including a dominating victory over last year's defending state champion in the semi finals.
Other Memebers of Sandpoint's State Championship Team:
- 103-Gale Belgarde, 6th
- 103-Quinn Walkington, 3rd
- 125-Justin Ziegler, 4th
- 125-Jeremiah Watson
- 130-Chad Coon
- 135-Manny Medina
- 135-Brian Kelly
- 140-Steve Bangeman, 4th
- 152-Eric Lichty-3rd
- 160-Luke Feist, 2nd
- 171-Justin Watson, 3rd
- 189-Spencer Andrews
- 215-Dan Roos
- 215-Josh Ratigan
- 275-Eric Roberts
- 275-Brian Taylor
