Grapplers look tough, can Tarr go undefeated again?

The Columbia Falls wrestling team is packed with talent this year and has several wrestlers who will look to being home hardware at the state tournament.

Top wrestler for the Cats is Aric Tarr, who will look to extend his undefeated streak for an unprecedented third season. Last year, Tarr went 31-0 in the 105-pound weight class.

This year Tarr, who is a senior, will wrestle at 119.

Coach Wes Knutson likes this team.

"We've got a lot of potential," Knutson said.

Knutson has been coaching wrestling for 22 years, 18 at Columbia Falls. The Cats wrestling program is one of the most successful in the state, consistently turning out top-ranked grapplers.

This year's squad will include seniors Keyvin Walter at 130, Ryan Buck at 145, Calvin Williams at 160, Nik Caron at 189, Brighton Hollis at 152, heavyweight Tommy Church at 275 and Louis Kentros, who has never wrestled before, also at 275.

Caron took fourth at state last year at 175.

The team also includes Cory Pete at 125. Pete took second at state last year, and frosh Michael Hader looks to be tough at 130. Returning divisional placers include Dalvin Averill, Walter, Tyson Nelson, Bo Hader, Caron, Buck and Church.

On top of that, there are nine freshman coming out.

"That's kind of exciting," Knutson said. "There're several who look pretty solid."

The division also looks to be very competitive.

"Polson, Libby and Whitefish are all solid," Knutson said.

The team has been practicing every day. They even practiced Thanksgiving morning to get enough practices in before their first match in Polson on Dec. 4.

Knutson said this team won't be quite as deep as previous teams.

"We just have to keep everyone healthy," he said.

The MatCats last won a state title in 1990, but they've consistently placed in the top five at state throughout the years, with the exception of last year.

This year's assistant coaches are Rich Vasquez and Nik Caron, along with volunteers Kelly Houle and Ed Holt.