MatCats take fifth at Holiday Classic, Freeman runner-up at 182

The Columbia Falls wrestling team took fifth at the CMR Holiday Classic wrestling tournament in Great Falls Friday and Saturday.

Jakob Freeman at 182 pounds led the MatCats. He took second, as he was edged by Hunter Welcome of Flathead, 5-3.

Winfield West (120), took fourth, losing to Cody DeVall of Flathead, 16-11. Hunter Peterson (132) took fifth, pinning Isaac Ramos of Valier. Brandon Thomas (138) took fifth, pinning Bryson Henningsen of Butte. Ben Windauer (145) took fourth, losing to Ty Bradley of Colstrip in a tight match, 9-7. Colton McPhee (160) took fourth, losing to Garrett Reike of Flathead, 14-8. Storm Kemppainen (170) was fifth, beating Graydon Irish of CMR, 2-1.

“The kids competed well,” said coach Jessie Schaeffer. “We’re pleased with the outcome.”

The team had five more wrestlers place than it did last year in the tourney, which features AA schools from across the state.

Schaeffer was pleased with Freeman.

“He had a great tournament,” he said. “He took advantage of the way he was seeded.”

The Cats also wrestled Browning in a dual Thursday. They won 55-12.

This week they traveled to Frenchtown Tuesday and then have four days over Christmas break off. They then start practice again, Schaeffer said. They were scheduled to wrestle in Kalispell Thursday, but that’s been canceled.