Boys grapplers take third at Owen Invitational

The wrestling season kicked off with Polson hosting the Owen Invitational on Dec. 7, with Columbia Falls placing third as a team.

Rowdy Crump won the 190-pound bracket, defeating Frenchtown’s Brody Hardy in 4:25 in the championship bout.

Also reaching the championship match was Octavious Christianson who was second at 126 pounds, and Blaise Cronk, who was second at 157 pounds.

Dylan Delorme was also second for the Wildcats at 165 pounds, as was Winslow Peters at 175 pounds.

It was a solid start for a Wildcat team that finished last year with five state placers.

“We have three returning state finalists who will be trying to make the next step and win individual state titles,” Columbia Falls Coach Jessie Schaeffer said. “We also have four kids that are capable, but a lot has to happen this year. We will be working on keeping healthy all season long and deal with the wear and tear.”

The core group is a solid wrestling base, which will have to weather Western A solid wrestling squads like Frenchtown and Ronan. 

“Every year we have a different dynamic as a team,” Schaeffer said. “This year has new rules with a three-point takedown and a four-point near fall. We’re going to have to learn that system a little bit and definitely protect our legs. While Columbia Falls wrestlers are typically offensive, we’re going to have to develop as defensive wrestlers as being too aggressive can get us in trouble.”

Schaeffer said there is no pressure on the wrestlers, and right now, the program is working on getting them in basic wrestling shape.

“We have to take it one weekend at a time and grow on those tournament weekends,” Schaeffer said. “Ultimately in February, if team health holds, we will be excited to be on the mat, hungry for the state tournament.”