Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Grapplers, fans flock to Colfax for youth wrestling
COLFAX – A local wrestling enthusiast and long-time coach is calling the Saturday, March 12, Colfax Little Guy tournament a success.
According to Jack McBridge, 322 wresters participated in the event at Colfax High School. The grapplers came from St. Maries, Kellogg and Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, as well as Clarkston, Tekoa, Rosalia, Pomeroy and Okanogan, among other areas.
As many as 10 matches were going on at a time, he said, noting wrestlers ranged in age from 5-14 years old.
And while a few local wrestlers medaled, McBride said the real success is the support the youth wrestling club received form the community.
“We had an incredible show of support from volunteers, from the pairing room to the table help,” he said. “And we had a good bevy of referees.”
The tournament started promptly at 10 a.m. and concluded by 3:15 p.m., he said.
“We couldn’t have done that without all the help,” he said, credited Casey Jones for being an outstanding tournament director. “Everyboyd was really impressed by all the people who were willing to step up.”
According to McBride, the bleachers were “filled to the rafters” with wrestlers and fans, as well.
“It attracted people from all over the Inland Northwest,” he said. “This was the big event of the year for us.”
McBride said volunteers manned concessions and raised $436 for the local club.
Local restaurnats, trucking companies, law clerks, the grocery story, “you name it,” pitched in, he said.
The size of the wrestling tournament and support is in stark contrast to this year’s high school turnout, with only one boy and one girl making up the Bulldogs contingent on the mat.
McBridge said the interest bodes well for a renewed wrestling program next year and into the future.
“The future looks bright for Colfax wrestling,” he said.
Roger Harnack is the owner/publisher of Free Press Publishing. Having grown up Benton City, Roger is an award-winning journalist, photographer, editor and publisher. He's one of only two editorial/commentary writers from Washington state to ever receive the international Golden Quill. Roger is dedicated to the preservation of local media, and the voice it retains for Eastern Washington.
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