Rollie Lane Wrestling Invitational kicks off new format Friday

The state’s largest high school wrestling tournament is getting even bigger.

In its 16th year, the Rollie Lane Invitational will field a record 56 teams from 54 schools that represent Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Nevada and British Columbia.

The expanded field leads to an expanded 64-man bracket, the only one of its kind in Idaho. The larger bracket replaces the previous round-robin format that fed into a 32-man bracket.

“A lot of people are calling for a true state champion tournament,” Columbia coach Todd Cady said. “This is the closest thing we’ll get to that.”

First-round matches start at 11 a.m. Friday at the Ford Idaho Center in Nampa, with the championship round scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

TREASURE VALLEY TRIES TO BOUNCE BACK

The Treasure Valley struggled at last year’s tournament, placing seven in the title round but only emerging with one champion — Borah’s Dorian Sapien at 120 pounds.

Sapien’s title kept the Boise-area from being shut out for the first time in the tournament’s history.

The Valley sports five No. 1 seeds entering the tournament, including Caldwell’s Dante Carreno (106), who finished second at 98 last year.

Other local No. 1 seeds include Fruitland’s Sammy Eckhart (138), Centennial’s Jaron Chavez (160), Kuna’s Levi Perry (195) and Columbia’s Scott McDonald (220).

POST FALLS BACK FOR MORE

The Trojans enter Rollie Lane on a hot streak.

Since winning the tournament last year — the first Idaho team to win Rollie Lane since 2010 — Post Falls has won the 5A state championship, repeated as the Tri-State Invitational champs and added a River City Duals title as well.

Post Falls comes in as the No. 48-ranked team in the nation, according to the InterMat Wrestling Fab 50 rankings.

RETURNING CHAMPS

▪ 98 pounds: Kade Lincoln, Skyline. Will wrestle at 113.

▪ 113: Braydon Huber, Post Falls. Will wrestle at 126.

▪ 138: Alius Delarosa, Post Falls. Will wrestle at 145.

TICKET INFO

Friday: $11 for adults, $10 for 60 and older, $9 with student ID

Saturday: $14 for adults, $13 for 60 and older, $12 with student ID

Two-day pass: $20 for adults, $17 for 60 and older, $15 with student ID, free for 12 and under

This story was originally published January 6, 2016 at 11:27 PM with the headline "Rollie Lane Wrestling Invitational kicks off new format Friday."