Girls grapplers looking to make their mark

Last year, Columbia Falls’ girls wrestling team had its first official year as its own program away from the boys team, wrestling with 10 girls.

“Most of them finished the year, which was exciting for us as coaches to see,” Columbia Falls head coach Ben Schaeffer said. “We finished with a couple of girls making the tournament’s second day.” 

Jaelynn Nace finished fourth in the state last year at 100 pounds and is a two-time all-state wrestler. They also have a good group of seniors, including Lucie Love, Sam Larson, and Anj LaChance, who didn’t finish last year due to injury but spent the offseason in the weight room getting stronger. 

 “The other exciting thing is this will be the first freshman group that went through the youth wrestling program before coming into high school, so they have experience,” Schaeffer said. 

 The conference looks strong, as always, with Polson being solid and Ronan being the two-time defending state champs and Browning producing hard-nosed wrestlers. 

 “Our ladies want to come home with the divisional trophy and compete with those other teams,” Schaeffer said. “We will be in the mix at the divisional level and as individuals at the state tournament.” 

 Schaeffer said he expects improvement throughout the year, but the girls must improve as a team. 

 “We’re really excited to get these ladies out on the mat,” Schaeffer said. 

The girls opened the season with the Owen Invitational in Polson Friday and Saturday. 

They took seventh as a team. 

Macee Schaeffer was fourth at 115 pounds; Anj LaChance fifth at 145; Kinsey Ward second at 190 and Dalilah Hanson was sixth at 120.