Whenever anyone thinks of collegiate wrestling in the state of Idaho, they think of two programs. The legendary North Idaho Cardinals, one of the best teams in NJCAA wrestling (Currently ranked #3 in the country with seven wrestlers ranked in the top ten) & the once prominent Boise State Broncos who we lost due to unfortunate circumstances a few years back.
Yet another team that should be as sorely missed as is BSU, is Idaho State. While it was longer ago, the wrestling program started by Dean Thomas in the 1956-1957 season & ended thirty years later in the 1986-1987 season, was pretty good. They won eight BIG SKY conference team titles & had some great wrestlers. Today we take a look at a few of them.
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126 lbs
John Berry |
A two time NCAA qualifier for the Bengals, John Berry found his real calling in coaching. He took over the Sugar Salem High program in 1976 & led the team to ten Idaho high school state championships. Fifty eight of his wrestlers won state titles. He was named coach of the year on six occasions & his final dual record was 434-42.
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137 lbs
Rick Yates |
Another great in Bengal wrestling history is Rick Yates who wrestled for Idaho State during a time when they were Division II. He placed third at the NCAA DII tournament in 1968.
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142 & 134 lbs
Bruce Burnett |
Before coming to Idaho State, Bruce Burnett wrestled for North Bakersfield high school in California. He never qualified for the state championships although he did win two league titles & a sectional title. He spent his first two seasons wrestling for Bakersfield Community College where he really came alive. He won both the 1969 & the 1970 CCCAA titles, being named the outstanding wrestler of the 1970 tournament. Wrestling for the Bengals he won two BIG SKY conference titles in 1971 & 1972.
Post college Burnett would have an outstanding coaching career. He started off at Meridan High school in Idaho where he was named coach of the year on seven occasions. He lead his team to an overall record of 142-13. He then became an assistant coach at Oklahoma State for a short stint before becoming one of the coaches for team USA in freestyle. He was on the coaching staff for both the 1996 & 2000 Olympic games. His final coaching stint was for the Navy. He led the midshipmen to a dual record of 41-23.
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150 lbs
Tim Fisher |
A BIG SKY conference champion Tim Fisher qualified for the NCAA championships in 1971, 72' & 73'.
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167 lbs
John Caccia Jr |
His father John "Babe" Caccia was a two time conference champion at rival Idaho, who also helped to reinstate their program for a short amount of time in the late 60's/early 70's. John Jr, a graduate of Pocatello high, won three Idaho state titles in 1966, 1967 & 1968.
If I had to name the Bengals best wrestler, he would have to be it. He placed 4th at the 1970 NCAA championships & then came back in 1972 to place third.
Post college he moved to Australia where he taught P.E. & math while coaching wrestling.
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160 lbs
Harry Oliphant |
Another great during the Bengals time in NCAA Division II was Harry Oliphant. Oliphant took fifth at the 1968 DII's.
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191 lbs
Carlton Tanaka |
Right up there with Oliphant also taking fifth at the 1968 NCAA Division II tournament is Carlton Tanaka.
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HWT
Arnie Bagley |
A standout on the gridiron. A standout on the mat. A beautiful singing voice. There was little that former HWT Arnie Bagley couldn't do. He was the only four time NCAA qualifier in school history, winning four BIG SKY conference titles.
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David Pacheco
167, 150 lbs |
Pacheco wrestled for Sacramento City in the CCCAA for two seasons before coming to Idaho State & winning two BIG Sky Titles for the Bengals. He later returned to Sacramento City as their head coach.
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