Mat Cats head for divisionals

Columbia Falls wrestlers turned in a solid showing during Senior Night last Thursday in a 42-35 Northwestern A Conference loss to Ronan at Columbia Falls High School.

The Mat Cats are preparing this week for the Northwestern A Divisional Tournament on Saturday in Libby.

In the most exciting match of the evening against Ronan, Mat Cat senior Russell Plevel came from behind — earning an 8-7 decision over Bryce Greenfield at 140 pounds. Plevel tied the match with a takedown late in the second period, then took the lead with a takedown with :38 to go.

Justin Whitman (112 pounds) pinned Ethan Fryslie with four seconds remaining in the third period in the second match of the dual. Later, an aggressive Shawn Whitman (135) won a 13-0 major decision over Alex Greenfield.

The Mat Cats trailed by just 10 points after Plevel’s win, but Micky Cheff, Cole McArthur, Tyler Wheeler and Toby Cheff recorded wins for Ronan for a 42-13 advantage.

Kelly Houle (189) worked overtime to get a 4-3 win over Marcus Schiele. Neither wrestler scored in the first two OT periods. In the superior position to start the third overtime, Schiele let Houle get to his feet and the Mat Cat had a 2-1 lead. Houle threw Schiele to the mat for a takedown with just a few second left for a three-point lead. Schiele immediately got a reversal, but Houle had a one-point win.

Houle’s win gives him a 31-2 record heading into the divisional tournament.

After forfeit wins by Doug Woodworth (215) and Kodie Kenfield (285), Mat Cat Sal Baccaro (98) pinned Riley Dennis with :03 remaining in the first period.

The Mat Cats received a team point on an unsportsmanlike conduct call on Schiele during his match against Houle.

CFHS head coach Jessie Schaeffer was pleased with the overall effort against the Chiefs.

“There was some scrapping going on,” Schaeffer said.

The three Mat Cats seniors who were recognized during Senior Night were Plevel, Travis Pete and Kenfield.

The Mat Cats will fill all but the 145 and 152 weight classes at the divisional tournament. Each team is allowed four extra wrestlers. Here is the tentative lineup:

98 — Sal Baccaro and Travis Province. 105 — Justin Whitman. 112 — Brendan Moseman or Hunter Fishel. 119 — Adam Richardson. 125 — Travis Pete. 130 — Virgil Matt. 135 — Shawn Whitman. 140 — Jarrett Smith and Russell Plevel. 145 — open. 152 — open. 160 — Joe Gross. 171 — Will Joubert. 189 — Doug Woodworth. 215 — Kelly Houle. 285 — Kodie Kenfield.

That lineup, which has “extras” at 98 and 140, could change a little by the time of the seeding meeting at divisionals.

The top four in each weight class qualify for the State Wrestling Championships Feb. 13-14 in Billings.

CFHS placed fourth at the divisional tourney last year, and had five individuals champions — including Houle and Kenfield.

“Everybody has the ability to be part of the state team,” Schaeffer said. “They just have to go out and wrestle. They are all among the top four kids (in their class) in our division.”