The Cashmere Bulldogs sent a pair of wrestlers to one of the most demanding tournaments of the season this weekend, competing in the 54th annual Tri-State Invitational at North Idaho College.

Held Friday and Saturday, the Tri-State Invitational drew nearly 600 wrestlers across 15 weight classes from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. By the end of Saturday, only one champion remained in each weight class. Many coaches consider Tri-State to be the toughest tournament their athletes will face all season — even more challenging than state competition.

Cashmere juniors Jance Novak and Mack Pell represented the Bulldogs against the region’s top talent and both turned in strong performances.

Novak put together an impressive run in the 165-pound bracket. He cruised through Friday’s competition, winning all three of his matches to advance to the quarterfinals. On Saturday morning, Novak faced Orting’s Michael Fritz in the semifinals. Fritz was the defending 2A state champion at 144 pounds, but Novak edged him in a hard-fought 6-5 decision to earn a spot in the championship match. Novak ultimately fell in the final to a wrestler from Post Falls High School, finishing second overall and capping off an outstanding tournament.

Pell also had a strong showing, winning four matches and battling through the consolation bracket. After an early championship-round loss to Lake Stevens’ Brody Hanson, Pell responded with a pair of quick pins over Beau Wentzel of St. Maries and Hudson Cossett of Lakeside. He followed those with a technical fall victory over Glacier Peak’s Garrett Taylor and a decision win over Brayden Medelez of Hermiston before his tournament ended with a loss to Gonzaga Prep’s Ryder Owen.

With strong performances against elite competition, Novak and Pell gained valuable experience and proved the Bulldogs can compete with the best wrestlers in the region.