Knutson inducted into Hall of Fame

Surrounded by family, friends, former coaches and generations of athletes through the years, Wes Knutson was inducted into the Columbia Falls High School Coaches Hall of Fame on Saturday night.

Knutson began his storied career as an athlete and coach wrestling for Polson in high school. He was Polson’s first-ever state champion wrestler, winning a title as a sophomore at 112 pounds.

He went on to college at North Idaho Community College, Boise State University and the University of Montana, where he graduated. After teaching at Valier High School, he came to Columbia Falls in 1987 as a junior high physical education teacher and wrestling and football coach.

Knutson spent the next 18 years coaching the Columbia Falls High School wrestling team, guiding the squad to a state championship in 1990.

The MatCats were also second at state twice, third three times and among Montana’s top five 11 times. Through his career, Knutson mentored 13 individual state champions, 47 divisional champions and 105 all-state wrestlers. His dual meet record was 200-119 overall and 176-97 at home.

Knutson was nominated for the Montana Coaches Association Coach of the Year nine times and received the honor after the 1990 season.

All told, he has coached wrestling 24 years, track 23 years, football nine years and volleyball four years. He was head coach for track in Columbia Falls for 10 years, winning two state championships, a second and a third at state and four divisional titles.

He retired from coaching in 2011 and still teaches at Columbia Falls High School.

Knutson has three daughters, Kati, Melissa and Amanda — all excellent athletes during their years in Columbia Falls.

After the induction, Knutson was congratulated by the crowd and numerous friends who attended the event. As he shook hands, he smiled and said, “This is what it’s all about … it’s unbelievable.”