Southwestern Oregon Community College wrestler Dustin Maxwell flips Adam Tinnel of North Idaho on his back during their match at 125 pounds Friday afternoon. Maxwell was one of three Lakerse to score wins on the day, along with Zolboo Enkhbayar at 165 pounds and Jason Troxel at heavyweight. North Idaho won the match 28-9. World Photo by Lou Sennick.

Southwestern Oregon Community College’s wrestling team fell to visiting North Idaho 28-9 Friday.

“We were up against a pretty good team,” said Lakers coach Adam Whitlatch of the Cardinals, who entered the season ranked No. 4 nationally in the NJCAA. “They’re a pretty talented group, but I don’t think it’s a team we can’t compete with in the future.”

Dustin Maxwell started things on a high note for Southwestern with a 6-5 decision over Adam Tinnel in the 125-pound division to give the Lakers a 3-0 lead early, but the Cardinals won out through the 133-, 141-, 149- and 157-pound classes to take a 16-3 lead.

Southwestern’s Zolboo Enkhbayar then won a 5-3 decision over DJ May in a 165-pound match to pull within 16-6 but North Idaho then took another three matches.

The Lakers’ Jason Troxel won the heavyweight bout, taking a 9-5 victory over John Forrester to put the final score at 28-9.

Today Southwestern is traveling to the Best of the West Tournament in Central Point, hosted by Southern Oregon University, to compete in a nine-team event that includes some big-time programs like Oregon State, San Francisco State and Boise State, ranked No. 14 in the NCAA Division I preseason poll. Southern Oregon is ranked No. 5 in the NAIA.

Overall, Whitlach said his team is working out some kinks as guys fight for positions, but he’s ready for a strong year with some tough competition for his Lakers, which started ranked No. 9 in the NJCAA.

“We have some really good competition in this area,” he said. “We’re going to be challenged the whole year, I think that will help us when we get to nationals.”