MatCats win Western Montana duals crown in Ronan

The Columbia Falls wrestling team won the Western Montana Duals in Ronan on Jan. 2-3. The MatCats dropped host Ronan in the championship dual, 48-14.

Mason Fetters (120 pounds), Kaleb Gravelin (132), Shonn Roberts (138), Dale Meyer (152), Storm Kemppainen (160), Mikey Denison (182) and Ike Schwiekert (205) all earned pins in the championship round as they hammered the Class B Chiefs.

The MatCats beat the Class AA Flathead junior varsity squad 41-9 in the quarterfinals and conference rival Frenchtown 42-12 in the semifinal round. On Friday, the boys beat Florence 65-7, Deer Lodge, 66-11 and Hellgate 68-4.

Coach Jessie Schaeffer said that while the kids are winning some big matches, there’s still plenty of work to be done as the season reaches its halfway point.

“We’re on the move, but all 13 kids aren’t where they need to be,” he said.

The MatCat junior varsity squad had some tough duals as well. They lost to Cut Bank 36-33, Fairfield/Simms 39-30 and Corvallis 42-21. The junior varsity squad went up against varsity teams.

The MatCats were scheduled for a dual against Whitefish on Tuesday, but it was canceled due to the weather.