Mat Cats outpointed by Ronan

By JOE SOVA - Hungry Horse News

Take away the 24 points that Columbia Falls gave up on four forfeits and the Mat Cats were within just three points of a solid Ronan squad in the home opener Tuesday night (Dec. 4) under the spotlight on Larry Schmautz Memorial Court.

Kodie Kenfield's win by fall in the 215-pound match brought the Mat Cats to within 31-28, but the Chiefs won the next four matches to close out the dual — two by falls in the first minute and two by forfeit. Ronan took home a 55-28 victory.

Seniors Clayton Patterson and Kelly Houle were Columbia Falls' only place winners at the Polson Invitational to open the season Saturday.

Teamwise, the Wildcats finished ninth in the 13-team field. Flathead ran away with the team crown. The Braves amassed 306.5 points. Missoula Sentinel was a distant second with 139. Frenchtown was third with 125.5 points and Corvallis fourth with 120.5.

Host Polson was fifth (114.5), followed by Eureka (88), Hamilton (77), Whitefish (68), Columbia Falls (54), Glacier (47), Thompson Falls (40), St. Ignatius (25) and Superior (2).

Patterson, Cody Kolodejchuk, Michael Hader and Houle earned wins in the dual against Ronan.

Patterson pinned Ryan Hardy in 3:03 in the 119-pound match to start the dual. Kolodejchuk bounced back from an early mistake to win by fall over Toby Cheff at 140. In his season debut, defending 140-pound state champion Hader disposed of Cole McArther in 1:03. At 189, Houle won by a 13-2 major decision over Marcus Scheile. Using a great reversal, Kenfield turned Frank Swan on his back and stuck him in 2:29.

"This group shows a lot of potential," CFHS coach Jessie Schaeffer said. "For the most part we wrestled solid. They showed a lot of heart out there."

At the Polson tourney, Patterson earned third place at 119. Houle was third at 189.

Senior Hader missed the tourney since he was taking his ACT test Saturday.

"It was a good starting block," Schaeffer said. "They understand when they're in that [practice] room they need to pick it up a little bit more and get after it.

"It was a good heads-up for everyone, including the coaches," he added.

Schaeffer said that Houle had a great tournament. In the semifinals, Hamilton's Brady Anderson — a state runner-up last season — squeaked out a 3-1 decision over Houle.

"Kelly kept him on his toes," Schaeffer said.

Houle bounced back, earning third place with a win over Brennan Fischer of Frenchtown by decision.

Patterson suffered an early loss by decision to Curt Sprague of Frenchtown, then won twice in the consolation bracket. In a battle for third place, Patterson enjoyed revenge — beating Sprague by decision.

Picking up wins for the Cats during tournament matches were Casey Stewart at 135 pounds, Joe Gross (152), Bridger Beach (160), Doug Woodworth (171) and Bryce Arneson (215).

The Mat Cats compete in the Mining City Duals this Friday and Saturday (Dec. 7-8) in Butte, wrestling against Polson, Helena Capital and Billings Skyview in pool duals. The top two in each pool advance to the championship bracket. The others wrestle in the consolation bracket.

Ronan 55, Columbia Falls 28

98 pounds — Jesse Robertson (R) forfeit win. 105 — Zach Robinson (R) forfeit win. 112 — Cameron Neiss (R) pinned Hunter Fishel :55. 119 — Clayton Patterson (CF) pinned Ryan Hardy 3:03. 125 — Tyson Noyes (R) forfeit win. 130 — Nate Templer (R) maj. dec. Virgil Matt 18-8. 135 — Mickey Cheff (R) pinned Casey Stewart 3:00. 140 — Cody Kolodejchuk (CF) pinned Toby Cheff 2:20. 145 — Michael Hader (CF) pinned Cole McArther 1:03. 152 — Weston Kiehn (R) dec. Joe Gross 7-2. 160 — Ricky Luchau (R) pinned Bridger Beach 2:52. 171 — Josh Krantz (R) forfeit win. 189 — Kelly Houle (CF) maj. dec. Marcus Scheile 13-2. 215 — Kodie Kenfield (CF) pinned Frank Swan 2:29. 285 — Tomy Parker (R) pinned Nathan Woods :45.