MatCats edge Loggers 33-30
<p>Wildcat Bryan Shaffer, top, takes on Libby's Garret Chapel.</p>
The Columbia Falls wrestling team slipped past Libby in a Jan. 19 home dual, 33-30. The Wildcats were led by freshman Shonn Roberts, who wrestled up two weight classes and pinned Dylan Roby, and by Josh Folsom, who pinned Robin Kyes. Roberts is definitely proving his worth.
"He's really mat aware," coach Jessie Schaeffer said. "He's getting big pins for us."
Cat Bryan Shaffer also had a good night, beating Garret Chapel, 4-1. Chapel had beaten Shaffer twice earlier this year, Schaeffer said, so the win was particularly nice.
"That was a big win for him and for the team," Schaeffer said.
The Cats were without Cody Hader, who has an injury, and Adam Richardson, who was sick. Both should be back in time for the divisional tourney in two weeks, Schaeffer said. The Cats also had some close losses.
"It'd be nice to have some of those matches back," Schaeffer said.
Seth McCall battled back to tie his match against Aaron Seefeldt at seven apiece in the last period, but Seefeldt squirmed away for an escape to go ahead, 8-7. The Logger then held on for the win.
Wayde Motichka also wrestled well, but Gunnar Moe was able to get an escape for the Libby win in a grinding match of heavyweights.
Kohl Thompson and Josiah Osborne also wrestled well but had a tough time scoring points. The Cats won three matches by forfeit, and there was a double forfeit at 105 pounds.
On Saturday, the Cats will host Frenchtown at 5:30 p.m. and Polson at 7:30 p.m. Seniors will be recognized before the Polson match.
Dual started at 160
98: Jordan Hughes, CF, won by forfeit; 105: Double forfeit; 112: Shonn Roberts, CF, p. Dylan Roby, 1:17; 119: Zach Crace, L, won by forfeit; 125: Aaron Seefeldt, L, dec. Seth McCall, 8-7; 130: Mitch Haugen, L, dec. Josiah Osborne, 3-0; 135: Zayne Brunz, CF, won by forfeit; 140: Bryan Shaffer, CF, dec. Garret Chapel, 4-1; 145: Kyle Leir, L, dec. Kohl Thompson, 5-0; 152: Josh Bowers, L, tech fall Travis Province, 20-4; 160: Dylan Berget, L, dec. Jacob Burgess, 4-0; 171: Josh Folsom, CF, p. Robin Kyes, 3:52; 189: Austin Bailey, L, maj. dec. Marcus Ross, 11-3; 215: Jacob Babcock, CF, won by forfeit; 285: Gunnar Moe, L, dec. Wayde Motichka, 1-0.