FRI OCT 30th - #6 North Idaho Vs #5 Clackamas

 

The world of college wrestling starts things off with bang as the #6 North Idaho Cardinals take on the #5 Clackamas Cougars. These two programs have both represented west coast wrestling proudly and strongly over the years & they are very familiar with one another.  Last year Clackamas won a well contested 28-21 bout.  As they look to once again walk out of Coeur d'Alene with a victory, North Idaho looks to avenge their loss. 

I'm sure all of the matches will be exciting but there are four that JT1Wrestle looks forward to in particularly.  

Kelby Bernard Vs Parker Ballantyne

These guys were at different weights last season, with Kelby Bernard winning a West District title & Parker Ballantyne finishing 3rd.  At the NJCAA championships however, Ballantyne would capture a 5th place finish, as Bernard finished one match shy of All-American honors. There is a chance that this match might not happen because either could go 133 or 141.  My hope though is that they're both at the same weight, cause this match would be dope. 

Pablo Hernandez Vs Dylan Block
174

This is going to be a real good one.  These two met in the West District finals last season, & Dylan Block's immediate aggression paid off as he hit two back-to-back takedowns in the first period, holding on for a 6-3 decision.  I would imagine that Hernandez is expecting the bull right out of the gate this time, and should be more prepared to not be taken off guard.  Hernandez went 2-2 at the NJCAA championships last season, as Block captured 4th place. 

Lusiano Lopez Vs Seth Martin
184

Unfortunately, we didn't get to see this matchup at the West District last season, as Lusiano Lopez was upset in the semi-finals, settling for 3rd as Martin won a title.  As the NJCAA championships, Lopez avenged the loss he took in the semi-finals eventually finishing 7th.  Martin finished 5th.  So, in other words the comparisons here are in common opponents and parity.  Martin has the edge heading into this matchup, but I would not count Lopez out. 

197
Elijah Josey Vs Jackson Lougen

Here's another great matchup for the evening.  In the semi-finals of the West District last season, Josey used a late 2nd period takedown to get past Lougen 4-1.  In front of a home crowd, in an important dual, what momentum it would give Lougen to pull off the upset.  Josey was 5th at the NJCAA championships.