New head coach Stark hoping to 'carry on tradition'

SANDPOINT — New Sandpoint head coach Jake Stark was no slouch on the mat in high school, winning Priest River’s first-ever state wrestling title in 1997.

Stark would eventually coach his alma-mater for three years, before becoming an assistant at Sandpoint the past two years. When longtime Bulldog head coach Mike Randles took a job in Coeur d’Alene, Stark jumped at the chance to take over the program.

Stark remembers the Bulldog powerhouse teams of the late 90s coached by Dan Taylor and led by the likes of Jared Lawrence, and remembers the aura the team had as it dominated opponents around the region.

“When I was in high school, nobody wanted to wrestle Sandpoint,” recalls Stark. “I’m super excited and honored to take over a program so rich and deep in tradition. I want to carry on that tradition.”

While the program won six state titles in a 10 year span starting in the mid 90s, the team hit a dry spell before bouncing back to finish fifth as a team last season, the highest finish in years.

While wrestling is inherently individualistic in nature, Stark admits he’s huge on the team aspect, setting a goal of winning districts and stopping the rival Hawks from winning another title.

“Our goal is to come after Lakeland this year, bring our intensity level up,” claims Stark, whose team will bring an aggressive mindset to the mat. “Some intensity, fast-paced, we’re going to be killer on our feet. We always shoot first, always get the first takedown.”

Leading the charge will be senior 182 pounder Owen Stebbins, the lone returning Bulldog to place at state last year in 6th place.

The technically sound Stebbins was a key piece of a team that went 11-5 in duals last season, and Stark says he epitomizes what a wrestler is all about.

“A class act. Works hard on the mat, a natural leader. Guys looks up to him,” describes Stark. “Our goal is to get him in the finals match.”

Stebbins, who notched three quality wins in the 170 pound state bracket last year, has set a goal of winning a state title at 182 pounds as a senior.

Like most of the Bulldog wrestlers, Stebbins had Randles as a coach at the high school and club level for years, and admits it’s strange having a new head coach.

“I had Randles for the first 14 years of my life wrestling. It’s a big change, a broader spectrum of techniques,” said Stebbins of Stark, noting the team wants to win districts. “Everybody is going to have to pull extra.”

Zack Alamillo (220), Cal Wilcox (195) and Hyrum Hunsaker (160) each won two matches at state last year, and know what it’s going to take to get a podium spot this year. Alamillo brings raw strength and power, Hunsaker is technically sound and Wilcox could be primed for a big year as a sophomore after putting in a ton of off-season work.

Stark is also expecting big seasons from senior Scout Nash (138) and junior Tucker Hall (132), practice partners that can push each other as the season progresses.

“Scout is super talented, fast and super technical. He should be in the top three at state, that caliber type of guy,” believes Stark. “Hall is super quick, and he’s been to state before and knows what it takes.”

Casey Oleson (106) won once at state as a freshman last year, and Hans Liband (195) and Preston Bunty (152) also return with state experience

Stark, who says his expertise and coaching style involve arm bars and tilts, will look to shape a largely young team as the season progresses, stressing team unity.

“We all work well together, guys are helping each other out learning moves,” says Stark. “They’re picking it up fast.”

The Bulldogs open the season tonight at home, at 6 p.m. against the Spartans.