Grapplers win two in divisional tuneup
Cody Hader takes on Libby's Skylar Higareda.
Columbia Falls built up a nice bit of momentum going into the divisional tournament this weekend. Last week they downed Libby 43-34 in a dual Tuesday and then Saturday they blanked Whitefish 88-0.
Coach Jessie Schaeffer did a little mixing up of the lineups in the season’s last duals.
Zayne Brunz (119), Cody Hader (130), Kohl Thompson (135), and Marcus Ross (189) all had wins against the Loggers. Libby also gave up five forfeits.
Against the Bulldogs, every Cat that hit the mat won.
“It was great momentum for the kids,” Schaeffer said.
After battling some illness, the Cats will head into divisional meets healthy, Schaeffer said. Last year the team had five champions and qualified 10 for state. This year, the goal is to qualify between 15 and 19 wrestlers, Schaeffer said.
The top four grapplers in each weight class advance to the state tournament. Finals start at 5 p.m. at the Whitefish High School Saturday.
Columbia Falls is a young team with a lot of frosh wrestlers who have slowly, but steadily improved as the season has progressed.
Columbia Falls 43, Libby 34
98 - Harland Jordan, CF, won by forfeit; 105 - Isaac King, L, won by forfeit; 112 - Seth McCall, CF, won by forfeit; 119 - Zayne Brunz, CF, dec. Aaron Sefeldt, 6-5; 125 - Mitch Haugen, L, dec. Sal Baccaro, 9-2; 130 - Cody Hader, CF, maj. dec. Skylar Higareda, 11-2; 135 - Kohl Thompson, CF, pinned Devin Williams, 5:30; 140 - Kyle Leir, L, pinned Bryan Schaffer, 3:19; 145 - Josh Bowers, L, pinned Colbey Arbuckle, 3:50; 152 - Robin Kyes, L, maj. dec. Jacob Burgess, 17-6; 160 - Dylan Berget, L, pinned Mark Hader, 1:34; 171 - Austin Bailey, L, dec. Josh Folsom, 7-2; 189 - Marcus Ross, CF, pinned Logan Neubauer, 1:23; 215 - Jacob Babcock, CF, won by forfeit; Hwt - Cody Bartos, CF, won by forfeit.
Columbia Falls 88, Whitefish 0
98: Jordan Harland, CF, p. Kaleb Mohn, 5:23; 105: Caleb Bauman, CF, won by forfeit; 112: Seth McCall, CF, p. Kyle Tracy, 3:31; 119: Hunter Fishel, CF, p. Wyatt Morris, :47; 125: Dalton Nelson, CF, maj. dec. Wyatt Price, 9-1; 130: Sal Baccaro, CF, won by forfeit; 135: Kohl Thompson, CF, p. Jason Newbury, :26; 140: Bryan Shaffer, CF, p. Madison McWhirter, 2:34; 145: Colby Arbuckle, CF, won by forfeit; 152: Jacob Burgess, CF, won by forfeit; 160: Mark Hader, CF, p. Auston Burgeson, 2:27; 171: Josh Folsom, CF, p. Marcelo Theodoro, 5:29; 189: Marcus Ross, CF, won by forfeit; 215: Jacob Babcock, CF, p. Richard Hough, :36; Hwt: Cody Bartos, CF, won by forfeit.