Ten Bengal wrestlers made their way to the Idaho 5A state wrestling tournament at the Holt Arena in Pocatello Feb. 26 and 27.
The Lewiston participants in the tournament included seniors Ty Hendren (126 lbs.), Jake Hollenbeck (170 lbs.) and Trevor Rigney (120 lbs.). Underclassmen at state were juniors Blake Callahan (160 lbs.), Justin Chase (285 lbs.), Cody Cromer (182 lbs.), Colton Jones (126 lbs.), Trevan Pixley (195 lbs.) and Kaleb Tipton (132 lbs.), along with sophomore Mitch Miller (220 lbs.).
Hendren, being the only Bengal to place in the top six, finished in third place for the tournament.
“I thought of it as just another tournament, just another match, just another weigh in — last weigh in,” Hendren said.“I took it moment by moment, match by match, and ended up getting where I was.”
“Finally placing at state, it’s what I’ve wanted to do since I was in 8th-grade wrestling at [Sacajawea Jr. High],” Hendren added. “It’s just, it’s one of my biggest things, and finally being able to do it my senior year and winning my last match of my high school career was amazing.”
Hendren advises his underclassmen teammates to never take wrestling for granted. Once it’s over, it’s over, and they’re going to wish they had it back, he said.
Hendren acknowledged his former coach, Dan Maurer, who stepped down three seasons ago, and wanted to thank him for being one of his greatest mentors in the wrestling community.
“He just knew exactly what to say, and exactly what to do. He knew everything. He’s by far the best coach I’ve ever had,” elaborated Hendren.