Dave Maier 406-255-3650

Jeff Thompson - thompsonj@sd5.k12.mt.us

Are Flat Head High School’ wrestlers the best ever?
By DIXIE KNUTSON/The Daily Inter Lake

Polson, Butte coaches impressed with season turned in by Braves BILLINGS — Are they the best Montana wrestling team ever? That was the talk all weekend at MetraPark. The subject, of course, was the Flathead Braves. The Braves won every tournament they entered this year, from the season opener in Polson through three prestigious regional tournaments. They won every dual and have been ranked as high as 10th in the nation. They capped their season off Saturday night with a breathtaking 410-point performance to win their third straight Class AA state title.

But are they the best ever?

According to two legendary Montana wrestling coaches, the 2008 Flathead Braves just may be the best wrestling team Montana has ever produced.

“That’s the best team I’ve watched,” longtime Polson coach Bob Owen said of the Braves.

“You can count on everybody on the team for points,” he said.

“In the old days, when we only could have the starting kids score, there might have been teams that were pretty close,” Owen said.

“But I totally think that’s the best team I’ve seen.

“They are, top to bottom ... they don’t have any weaknesses in the lineup. That’s a solid group,” he said.

“At one time, I looked out there ... there was one (Brave) on three mats and two on a fourth one,” said Butte coach Jim Street. Street was himself the architect of 13 straight championships for the Bulldogs.

“They’ve got great depth and they’re doing an excellent job. Their kids are all physical specimens and they’re working hard.

“What can you say other than we wish that we were like that right now. It kind of reminds me of what we were like,” he said.

“They’re a great wrestling team. They’re making Montana proud again and I think that’s good,” Street said.

“Just to even be considered is such an honor,” said Flathead coach Jeff Thompson.

“You know, I don’t know. Point-total-wise, wow ... over 400 points in a state tournament. That’s just an amazing effort by these young men. It’s been quite a year.

“I’m blessed to have an amazing coaching staff. They have so many assets where I have faults. We work so well together. They’re my best friends.”

But the best ever?

“It’s extremely difficult to judge teams at different times in the ages. It’s also very, very difficult to judge individuals in different classifications and different times,” Street said.

“The only way you can figure it out is if they were wrestling each other. But I tell you what, if they want the bragging rights, they can sure take it, because they’re tough. Really tough.”

“You dream about having those kind of kids to work with. But they’ve built it, so they deserve what they have,” Owen said.

2006-07 Montana Pre-Season All-Class Wrestling Rankings

2005-06 Montana Pre-Season All-Class Wrestling Rankings

10/05/05 Rankings
Sidney (12 State Placers Returning)
Flathead (9 State Placers Returning)
Billings Skyview (9 State Placers Returning)
Libby (7 State Placers Returning)
Havre (6 State Placers Returning)

Note: All top five teams will meet Dec. 9th and 10th at the Mining City Duals in Butte, MT.

MT Top Wrestlers
Cole Dallaserra, 3X State Champion, Butte High School
Alex Calvi, Senior, 2X State Champion, Cut Bank High School
Trent Sprenkle, 2X State Champion, Billing Senior High School
Evan Hinebaugh, State Champion, Havre High School
Jesse Obergfell, 2x State Champion, Junior, Sidney High School
Ryan Leonard, State Champion, Simms High School
Jake Love, Cadet All-American, Missoula Sentinel High School

Others to Watch: (Rankings are in no particular order)
Brandon DeCook, Senior, Huntley Project
Vince Salminen, Senior, Billing Skyview
Derek Fritz, Senior, Sidney High School
Ryan Hecker, Senior, Sidney High School
Caleb Lockyer, Senior, Conrad High School
Trent Zempel, Senior, Conrad High School
Brandon Stedman, Senior, Frenchtown High School
Mikey Kuehne, Senior, Flathead High School
Byron Kuylin, Senior, Sidney High School
Egan Black, Senior, Cut Bank High School
Tel Todd, Junior, Bozeman High School
Jake Graham, Junior, Libby High School
Mike French, Junior, Malta High School
Gresh Melby: Junior, Sidney High School
Ben Spencer, Junior, Great Falls High School
TC Decker, Sophomore, Flathead High School
Nash Halfrisch, Freshman, CMR High School

MT Class Rankings
AA Team Rankings
Flathead High School
Billings Skyview High School
Butte High School
Billing Senior High School
Great Falls High School

A Team Rankings
Sidney
Libby
Havre
Polson
Anaconda

BC Rankings
Conrad
Cut Bank
Huntley Project

Questions, Commits, Concerns:
Jeffrey N. Thompson
Montana USA Wrestling Magazine Editor
406-751-3487
Thompsonj@sd5.k12.mt.us

2005-06 Montana Pre-Season All-Class Wrestling Rankings
5/11/05 Rankings

1. Sidney (12 State Placers Returning)
2. Flathead (9 State Placers Returning)
3. Billings Skyview (9 State Placers Returning)
4. Havre (6 State Placers Returning)
5. Libby (7 State Placers Returning)

MT Top Wrestlers
Overall: Cole Dallaserra, 3X State Champion, Butte High School
Senior: Brandon Stedman, 2x State Champion, Frenchtown
Senior: Trent Sprenkle, 2X State Champion, Billing Senior
Junior: Evan Hinebaugh, State Champion, Havre High School
Junior : Jesse Obergfell, Junior, Sidney High School
Sophomore: Ryan Leonard, State Champion, Simms High School

Others to Watch: (Rankings are in no particular order)
1. Gresh Melby: Junior, Sidney High School
2. Brandon DeCook, Senior, Huntley Project
3. Mike French, Junior Malta High School
4. Jake Graham, State Champion, Libby High School
5. Vince Salminen, Senior, Billing Skyview
6. Derek Fritz, Senior, Sidney High School
7. Ryan Hecker, Senior, Sidney High School
8. Caleb Lockyer, Senior, Conrad High School
9. Trent Zempel, Senior, Conrad High School
10. Mikey Kuehne, Senior, Flathead High School
11. TC Decker, Sophomore, Flathead High School
12. Kody Tolliver, Senior, Great Falls High
13. Zach Jones, Senior, Billings Skyview

5/11/05 Class Rankings

AA Team Rankings
1. Flathead High School
2. Billings Skyview High School
3. Butte
4. Bozeman
5. Great Falls High

A Team Rankings
1. Sidney
2. Havre
3. Libby

BC Rankings
1. Conrad
2. Cut Bank
3. Huntley Project

By:

Jeff Thompson
Montana USA Wrestling Magazine Editor
644 4th Ave. West
Kal. MT 59901
Thompsonj@sd5.k12.mt.us

Montana All-Class season Wrestling Rankings
1/17/05 Rankings
(Based on the Mining City Duals)

1. Havre
2. Billings Skyview
3. Flathead
4. Sidney
5. Billings Senior

MT Top Wrestlers
Overall: Tom Daniels: 2x State Champion, CMR High School
Senior: Aric Tarr: 2x State Champion, Columbia Falls High School
Junior: Kody Toliver- 2x State Champion, Great Falls High School
Junior : Cole Dallaserra, 2x State Champion, Butte High School
Sophomore: Thad Zempel, State Champion, Conrad High School
Freshman: Zach Mendenhall, Great Falls/ TC Decker, Flathead High School

Others to Watch:
1. Gresh Melby: Junior, Sidney High School
2. Vince Salomon, Junior, Billing Skyview
3. Kevin Owen, Senior, Polson High School
4. Derek Fritz, Junior, Sidney High School
5. Ryan Hecker, Junior, Sidney High School
6. Dustin Haukenberry, Senior, Havre High School
7. Evan Hinebaugh, Sophomore, Havre High School
8. Doug Copeland, Senior, Sidney High School
9. Caleb Lockyer, Senior, Conrad High School
10. Trent Zempel, Junior, Conrad High School
11. Tyler Gilfeather, Junior, Shepherd High School

12/17/05 Class Rankings

AA Team Rankings
1. Flathead High School
2. Billings Skyview High School
3. Billing Senior
4. Butte
5. Great Falls High

A Team Rankings
1. Sidney
2. Havre
3. Polson

BC Rankings
1. Conrad
2. Cut bank
3. Chouteau

By:

Jeff Thompson
Montana USA Wrestling Magazine Editor
644 4th Ave. West
Kal. MT 59901
Thompsonj@sd5.k12.mt.us

Montana High School Wrestling Rankings

MT All-Class season Wrestling Rankings
12/14/04 Rankings

1. Havre
2. Billings Skyview
3. Flathead
4. Butte
5. Billings Senior/ Sidney

MT Top Wrestlers
Overall: Junior: Kody Toliver- 2x State Champion, Great Falls High School
Senior: Tom Daniels: 2x State Champion, CMR High School
Senior: Aric Tarr: 2x State Champion, Columbia Falls High School
Junior : Cole Dallaserra, 2x State Champion, Butte High School
Sophomore: Thad Zempel, State Champion, Conrad High School
Freshman: Zach Mendenhall, Great Falls/ TC Decker, Flathead High School

Others to Watch:
1. Gresh Melby: Junior, Sidney High School
2. Kevin Owen, Senior, Polson High School
3. Jeff Brokaw, Senior, Hardin High School
4. Derek Fritz, Junior, Sidney High School
5. Ryan Hecker, Junior, Sidney High School
6. Dustin Haukenberry, Senior, Havre High School
7. Evan Hinebaugh, Sophomore, Havre High School
8. Doug Copeland, Senior, Sidney High School
9. Caleb Lockyer, Senior, Conrad High School
10. Trent Zempel, Junior, Conrad High School
11. Tyler Gilfeather, Junior, Shepherd High School

12/14/04 Class Rankings

AA Team Rankings
1. Billings Skyview
2. Flathead High School
3. Butte
4. Billings Senior
5. Bozeman

A Team Rankings
1. Havre
2. Sidney
3. Polson/ Whitefish/ Libby

BC Rankings
1. Conrad
2. Cut bank
3. Chouteau

By:

Jeff Thompson
Montana USA Wrestling Magazine Editor
644 4th Ave. West
Kal. MT 59901
Thompsonj@sd5.k12.mt.us

MT All-Class Preseason Wrestling Rankings
2004-05 Season

1. Sidney
2. Butte
3. Conrad
4. Billings Skyview
5. Polson

Note: We all meet at the Mining City Duals in Butte, December 10-11. It should be a great weekend of wrestling.

MT Top Wrestlers
Overall: Tom Daniels: 2x State Champion, CMR High School
Senior: Aric Tarr: 2x State Champion, Columbia Falls High School
Junior: Kody Toliver- 2x State Champion, Great Falls High School
Junior : Cole Dallaserra, 2x State Champion, Butte High School
Sophomore: Thad Zempel, State Champion, Conrad High School

Others to Watch:
1. Gresh Melby: Junior, Sidney High School
2. Kevin Owen, Senior, Polson High School
3. Derek Fritz, Junior, Sidney High School
4. Ryan Hecker, Junior, Sidney High School
5. Doug Copeland, Senior, Sidney High School
6. Caleb Lockyer, Senior, Conrad High School
7. Trent Zempel, Junior, Conrad High School
8. Tyler Gilfeather, Junior, Shepherd High School

Preseason Class Rankings

AA Team Rankings
1. Butte
2. Billings Skyview
3. Bozeman
4. Billings Senior
5. Flathead

A Team Rankings
1. Sidney
2. Polson
3. Havre/ Whitefish

BC Rankings
1. Conrad
2. Choteau
3. Cutbank

By:

Jeff Thompson
Montana USA Wrestling Magazine Editor
644 4th Ave. West
Kal. MT 59901
Thompsonj@sd5.k12.mt.us
Sidney placed 4th in the National Scholastic (Disney Duals) in Orlando, Florida

Sidney participated in the National Scholastic (Disney Duals) in Orlando, Florida June 20-24
They had a fine showing in the High School tournament side, involving 55 teams from around the country. Sidney placed 4th, losing in the Consolation finals 33-32.

Along the way Sidney defeated Mantini, Illinois, a team that is currently a nationally ranked team by the score 45-26. Sidney wrestled against several State Championship teams and many individual state champions. Sidney had 2 wrestlers go 11-0, Byron Kuylen (soph), Gary Melby (senior) and 2 wrestlers go 10-1 Doug Copeland (junior), Gresh Melby ( soph), both wrestlers wrestled up a weight group when they were beat.

Montana All-Class Preseason Wrestling Team Rankings
2004-05 Season

1. Sidney
2. Butte
3. Conrad
4. Billings Skyview
5. Polson

Note: We all meet at the Mining City Duals in Butte, December 10-11. It should be a great weekend of wrestling.

Montana Top Wrestlers

Overall: Tom Daniels: 2x State Champion, CMR High School
Senior: Aric Tarr: 2x State Champion, Columbia Falls High School
Junior: Kody Toliver- 2x State Champion, Great Falls High School
Junior : Cole Dallaserra, 2x State Champion, Butte High School
Sophomore: Thad Zempel, State Champion, Conrad High School

Others to Watch:
1. Gresh Melby: Junior, Sidney High School
2. Kevin Owen, Senior, Polson High School
3. Derek Fritz, Junior, Sidney High School
4. Ryan Hecker, Junior, Sidney High School
5. Doug Copeland, Senior, Sidney High School
6. Caleb Lockyer, Senior, Conrad High School
7. Trent Zempel, Junior, Conrad High School
8. Tyler Gilfeather, Junior, Shepherd High School

Montana Team Preseason Class Rankings

AA Team Rankings
1. Butte
2. Billings Skyview
3. Bozeman
4. Billings Senior
5. Flathead

A Team Rankings
1. Sidney
2. Polson
3. Havre/ Whitefish

BC Rankings
1. Conrad
2. Choteau
3. Cutbank

By:

Jeff Thompson
Montana USA Wrestling Magazine Editor
644 4th Ave. West
Kal. MT 59901
Thompsonj@sd5.k12.mt.us

University of Great Falls Institutes NAIA Wrestling Program

UGF ANNOUNCES HIRING OF WRESTLING COACH

The University of Great Falls is pleased to announce the hiring of Eric Van Kley, Penn., as head wrestling coach. Van Kley has had experience at all levels of coaching including NCAA Division I, High School, and Club Wrestling. Coach Van Kley will be developing the new program at UGF. Wrestling is set to begin this fall. President McAllister said the school is adding wrestling for three reasons: To increase enrollment, to add to student life, and to accurately reflect the interests of north-central Montanans. President McAllister attended part of the NAIA national mat meet here several weeks ago and came away impressed.

"I saw young men competing very hard, very aggressively," he said. "But they stood up at the end of the match and shook hands with one another. I thought that was very admirable, and that's a quality we'd like to bring here. That's the ability to work very hard but behave like a gentleman."

The new coach has aspirations to help the students grow in academics and athletics, but also socially, spiritually, and professionally. Coach Van Kley and his wife, Sarah will be moving to Great Falls, MT, in the middle of May. For any inquiries please contact Jolene Bach at 406-791-5290 or visit the website at http://www.ugf.edu/ The University of Great Falls is a private, four-year Catholic university founded by the Sisters of Providence and open to qualified men and women of every race and creed.

2004 Montana State High School Championships

2004 CLASS AA WRESTLING RESULTS SUMMARY

Team Scores

1st ­ Kalispell (325)
2nd ­ Billings Skyview (279.5)
3rd ­ Butte High (237.5)
4th ­ Great Falls High (201)
5th - Billings Senior (179)

Individual Results

98#
1st ­ Shane Grever, Great Falls High
2nd ­ Ricky Janes, Kalispell
3rd ­ Ben Spencer, Great Falls High
4th ­ Tyler McLaughlin, Butte High

105#
1st ­ Trent Sprenkle, Billings Senior
2nd ­ Brody Verrall, Butte High
3rd ­ Brandon Mitchell, Kalispell
4th ­ Pat Elser, Billings West

112#
1st ­ Kody Tolliver, Great Falls High
2nd ­ Tyler O'Myer, Kalispell
3rd - T.J. Renz, Butte High
4th ­ Spencer Bailey, Great Falls CMR

119#
1st ­ Cole Dallaserra, Butte High
2nd ­ Will Cusker, Missoula Big Sky
3rd ­ Vince Salminen, Billings Skyview
4th ­ Craig Moline, Billings West

125#
1st ­ Brandon Haman, Great Falls High
2nd ­ Robbie Kinkel, Kalispell
3rd ­ David Correa, Billings Skyview
4th ­ Frank Schwartz, Butte High

130#
1st ­ Beau Malia, Billings Skyview
2nd ­ Noah McEwen, Butte High
3rd ­ Tel Todd, Bozeman
4th ­ Tom Brennan, Helena High

135#
1st ­ Cody Bender, Billings West
2nd ­ Chad Barker, Billings Senior
3rd ­ Jake Hauck, Billings Skyview
4th ­ Mikey Kuehne, Kalispell

140#
1st ­ Tom Daniels, Great Falls CMR
2nd ­ Josh Beeman, Billings Senior
3rd ­ Jeremy Noble, Great Falls High
4th ­ Dan Frazer, Billings Skyview

145#
1st - Joe Lauer, Billings Skyview
2nd ­ Devin Eystad, Kalispell
3rd ­ Kasey Halcro, Helena Capital
4th ­ Brandon Henry, Great Falls High

152#
1st ­ Narles Layne, Helena Capital
2nd ­ Danny Whitby, Billings Senior
3rd ­ Austin Oullette, Missoula Hellgate
4th ­ Trent Jones, Billings Skyview

160#
1st ­ Casey Kelly, Helena Capital
2nd ­ Chris Thompson, Kalispell
3rd ­ Derek Maciel, Billings Skyview
4th ­ Chase Gazzerro, Great Falls CMR

171#
1st ­ Mitch Braun, Billings West
2nd ­ Cade Vanek, Kalispell
3rd ­ Randy Hazlett, Butte High
4th ­ Kyle Allen, Billings Senior

189#
1st ­ Tyrel Todd, Bozeman
2nd ­ Greg Thompson, Kalispell
3rd ­ Ryan Shilhanek, Billings Senior
4th ­ Zach Jones, Billings Skyview

215#
1st - Josh Robinson, Butte High
2nd ­ Kevin Klaboe, Billings West
3rd ­ Larry Johnston, Kalispell
4th ­ Chris Johnson, Great Falls High

275#
1st ­ Tiger Harris, Kalispell
2nd ­ Pernnel Booth, Billings West
3rd ­ Brandon Hoffenbacker, Kalispell
4th ­ Bob Anderson, Great Falls High
2004 CLASS A WRESTLING RESULTS SUMMARY

Team Scores

1st ­ Sidney (251)
2nd ­ Polson (143)
3rd ­ Hardin (139.5)
4th ­ Libby (130.5)
5th ­ Anaconda (126)

Individual Results

98#
1st - Jessee Obergfell, Sidney
2nd ­ Colin Benson, Polson
3rd ­ Danny Neff, Whitefish
4th ­ Chris Bick, Frenchtown

105#
1st ­ Aric Tarr, Columbia Falls
2nd ­ Caleb Wainwright, Whitefish
3rd ­ Brandon Uffelman, Hardin
4th ­ Dustin Hanson, Anaconda

112#
1st ­ Brandon Stedman, Frenchtown
2nd - Cory Pete, Columbia Falls
3rd ­ Derek Solan, Anaconda
4th ­ Beau LaSalle, Havre

119#
1st ­ Ryan Hecker, Sidney
2nd ­ Colby Wolfenden, Polson
3rd ­ Brady Carpenter, Sidney
4th ­ Joe Carlson, Dawson Co. (Glendive)

125#
1st ­ Cole Myers, Laurel
2nd ­ Byron Kuylen, Sidney
3rd ­ Jeff Hedges, Havre
4th ­ Brooks Kmetz, Custer Co. (Miles City)

130#
1st ­ Doug Copeland, Sidney
2nd ­ Travis Kelly, Belgrade
3rd ­ Leo Pluhar, Custer Co. (Miles City)
4th ­ Seth Cummings, Whitefish

135#
1st ­ Derek Fritz, Sidney
2nd ­ Jordan Nesbitt, Beaverhead Co. (Dillon)
3rd ­ Sean Dellwo, Polson
4th ­ Dustin Britz, Whitefish

140#
1st - Josh Bauer, Colstrip
2nd ­ Brady Nagel, Corvallis
3rd ­ Jason Andreoli, Anaconda
4th ­ Zach Fox, Laurel

145#
1st ­ Gresh Melby, Sidney
2nd ­ Jeff Brokaw, Hardin
3rd ­ Phil Rinaldi, Fergus High (Lewistown)
4th ­ Jake Spencer, Libby

152#
1st ­ Logan Kugler, Polson
2nd ­ Matt Maxwell, Hardin
3rd ­ Miles Fox, Laurel
4th ­ Chase Musick, Fergus High (Lewistown)

160#
1st ­ Nathan Williams, Sidney
2nd ­ Kevin Owen, Polson
3rd ­ Russ Jessop, Corvallis
4th ­ James Muhlbeier, Hardin

171#
1st ­ Josh Erickson, Libby
2nd ­ Brett Owen, Polson
3rd ­ Mike Burns, Browning
4th ­ Nik Caron, Columbia Falls

189#
1st ­ Corey Willis, Laurel
2nd ­ Gary Melby, Sidney
3rd ­ Bill Glennon, Billings Central
4th ­ Bobby Henderson, Frenchtown

215#
1st ­ Jake Kallestad, Belgrade
2nd ­ Kroy Biermann, Hardin
3rd ­ Andy White, Ronan
4th ­ Travis Hjort, Libby

275#
1st ­ Keevin Bertelsen, Libby
2nd ­ Kiel Kovash, Park (Livingston)
3rd ­ Chris Latray, Anaconda
4th ­ Matt Schnittgen, Havre

2004 CLASS B-C WRESTLING RESULTS SUMMARY

Team Scores

1st ­ Conrad (197.5)
2nd ­ Cut Bank (122)
3rd ­ Choteau (111)
4th ­ Huntley Project (102.5)
5th ­ Arlee (102.5)

Individual Results

98#
1st ­ Egan Black, Cut Bank
2nd ­ Aaron Trudeau, St. Ignatius
3rd ­ Richard Lyng, Shepherd
4th ­ Kyle Brown, Plains

105#
1st ­ Zach Near, Whitehall
2nd ­ Nate Walston, Columbus
3rd ­ Jacob Schlosser, Conrad
4th ­ Don Fryberger, Simms

112#
1st ­ Thad Zempel, Conrad
2nd ­ Matt Ayers, Poplar
3rd ­ Ty Nelson, Whitehall
4th ­ Kyle Middlemist, St. Ignatius

119#
1st ­ Danny Trujillo, Arlee
2nd ­ Tim Troutman, Huntley Project
3rd ­ Landon Rauser, Townsend
4th ­ Buck Lunak, Cut Bank

125#
1st ­ Tyler Gilfeather, Shepherd
2nd ­ Michael French, Malta
3rd ­ Sean Whitney, Deer Lodge
4th ­ Beau McGillivray, Superior

130#
1st ­ Spencer Griffiths, Simms
2nd ­ Ross Johnson, Conrad
3rd ­ Chad McKinsey, Huntley Project
4th ­ Tyler McGillivray, Superior

135#
1st ­ Caleb Lockyer, Conrad
2nd ­ Daniel Madel, Choteau
3rd ­ James Miller, Columbus
4th ­ Marc Crossland, Cascade

140#
1st ­ Trent Zempel, Conrad
2nd ­ Jeff Trafelet, Valier
3rd ­ Tanner Hoerner, Lincoln Co. (Eureka)
4th ­ Sid Sorge, Shepherd

145#
1st ­ Nathan Hopstad, Glasgow
2nd ­ Jeremy Walston, Columbus
3rd ­ Bo Bolstad, Boulder
4th ­ Dan Murr, Conrad

152#
1st ­ Joe Gentilini, Baker
2nd ­ Pete Betcher, Choteau
3rd ­ Dan McChesney, Florence-Carlton
4th ­ Tony May, Cascade

160#
1st ­ Ryan Smith, Arlee
2nd ­ Chris Gorder, Poplar
3rd ­ Royce Willson, Shepherd
4th ­ Kyle Randle, Thompson Falls

171#
1st ­ Colter Dimas, Poplar
2nd ­ Brenden DeCock, Huntley Project
3rd ­ Alex Calvi, Cut Bank
4th ­ Chris Zemple, St. Ignatius

189#
1st ­ Eric Hinebauch, Chinook
2nd ­ Logan Labbe, Superior
3rd ­ Danny Larson, Cut Bank
4th ­ Kyle Buck, Choteau

215#
1st ­ Tom Radach, Conrad
2nd ­ Paden Jenkins, Florence-Carlton
3rd ­ Shannon Buell, Columbus
4th ­ Jordan McWilliams, Baker

275#
1st ­ Ryan Stutzman, Cascade
2nd ­ Anthony Hutchings, Townsend
3rd ­ Jon Alexander, Superior
4th ­ Bob Kinyon, Conrad

Kalispell wrestlers claim fourth title at Rocky
By JON KASPER of the Missoulian

Jeff Thompson finally has a Jug Beck Rocky Mountain Classic championship.

The Kalispell wrestling coach can thank his Braves for getting him one of the few things that eluded him during his illustrious prep career at Great Falls High.

Led by three champions, the second-ranked Braves captured their first Rocky Mountain Classic title since 1987 on Saturday night at the Missoula Sentinel gym.

Nine Braves finished in the top six, and Thompson's troops compiled 220 points during the two-day event. Clarkston, Wash., a 3-A squad, was second with 180fi. University High of Spokane, a 4-A team, was third with 161 points. Defending champion Butte was fourth with 156. Great Falls High rounded out the top five with 129fi points.

Thompson, who won three state titles while wrestling for the Bison, came up short of winning a Rocky Mountain title in two appearances. He finished second to Missoula Big Sky's Shannon Stewart in 1991, losing 5-3 in overtime.

"We're feeling pretty good,'' Thompson said. "We wrestled really well. It's a stepping stone for us. We'll get back to practice Monday and continue to work hard and focus on the state tournament."

The RMC championship is Kalispell's fourth, but first since a run of three straight from 1985-87. The Braves finished a half point behind Butte in 1993.

Kalispell won the C.M. Russell Holiday Classic just before Christmas. The Braves finished second at a tournament in Spokane last week. They can now begin focusing on state next month in Billings, where they'll battle the likes of Billings Skyview and Billings Senior, which weren't at the Rocky Mountain Classic.

"It's a great confidence builder for us,'' Thompson said. "It's neat to see we're a tournament team this year. That's what the state meet is. We're going to soak this tournament win in tonight and get back to work on Monday.''

"This is our biggest confidence boost of the year,'' said Kalispell's Tyler O'Myer, who won the 112-pound title with an 8-4 win over Tyler Yonago of Spokane's Ferris High. "We pretty much walked all over Butte and Great Falls High. We haven't lost to a AA school in the state yet. I think we're going to have a good shot of winning state.''

Kalispell senior Devin Eystad (145) captured his second straight Rocky title with a 13-7 win over Libby's Jake Spencer. Kalispell's other champion was 189-pounder Chris Thompson, who is no relation to Coach Thompson. Thompson pinned Columbia Falls' David Ampudia in 4:50.

"This feels great,'' Eystad said. "This is one of the toughest tournaments in the state. I did well. I'm glad. We haven't won this tournament since 1987. There is a lot of tough competition here. This will put us as one of the people to look at for state.''

Chris Thompson (160), Larry Johnston (215) and heavyweight Tiger Harris all finished second for Kalispell. Harris, who has been battling shoulder problems, decided sit out the championship match. Libby's heavyweight Keevin Bertelsen won his second straight Rocky title, this one without stepping on the mat.

"All of those kids in the finals wrestled so well, even Chris Thompson and Larry Johnston, who lost.'' Coach Thompson said. "Tyler O'Myer had a great tournament. It's a great confidence builder for him. He's wrestling better than he ever has before.''

Brandon Mitchell (105) and Robbie Kinkel (125) took third for the Braves, while Ryan Nelson (135) finished fourth.

Saturday night's championship finals featured 10 matches that went the distance. Butte's Josh Robinson had the quickest title match, pinning Johnston in 1:00. Robinson won the quick pin award, sticking four opponents in a combined time of 6:57.

Great Falls High's Brandon Haman and Polson's Kevin Owen each captured their third RMC titles.

Haman, a senior, beat Clarkston's Jason Fairley 10-7 in the 125-pound final.

Owen, a junior, beat Kalispell's Chris Thompson 12-2 in the 160-pound final. Owen has a chance to become just the second wrestler to win four RMC titles next season. Great Falls High's Kole Tolliver won four straight from 1999-2002. Winning a fourth RMC title wasn't on Owen's mind Saturday night.

"I usually take it one tournament at a time,'' Owen said. "A lot of the work and effort I put in the wrestling room is paying off."

Owen said he'd gladly trade a Rocky Mountain title for a state title next month in Billings. Owen has yet to win state.

Butte's Noah McEwen saw his hopes of a third RMC title derailed in the 130-pound semifinals when he lost 3-2 to Trace Brandburn of Mead, Washington. McEwen placed fifth.

Missoula Hellgate junior Austin Ouellette capped an outstanding meet by winning the 152-pound title. In Saturday morning's semifinals, Ouellette handed Polson's Logan Kugler his first loss of the season with a 7-3 win.

"After I beat the Polson kid is when I realized I was feeling good,'' Ouellette said.

In the finals, Ouellette beat Corvallis' Caleb Cousins 6-3. Ouellette was the only Garden City wrestler in the finals.

"This is probably the best meet I've ever had,'' Ouellette said. "I've always watched this since I was a little kid and I always looked forward to wrestling in it. I did well.''

Ouellette said he was about 7 or 8 the first time he watched the Rocky. He said he used to sell pizza at the concession stand in the Sentinel lobby.

In the best match of the night, Columbia Falls' Aric Tarr ran his winning streak to 50 with a 3-2 win over Cory Fish of University High. Like Tarr, Fish came into the match undefeated. Tarr beat Fish 5-4 in the 98-pound Rocky finals last year. Fish is ranked first in Washington at 103 pounds, and has a Cadet national championship on his resume.

In Saturday's match, Tarr opened with a quick two-point takedown. Fish scored two points on escapes, one in the first period and one in the second. Tarr began the third period on the bottom, and scored an escape point with roughly 90 seconds left in the match.

"I wanted to get the escape and then hang on,'' Tarr said. "I was hoping there wasn't enough time for him to take me down."

Tarr, a state champion last season, pumped his fists several times and raised his arms in triumph. He called the win the biggest of his career.

"I'd say it's No. 1,'' said the junior. "I beat him last year and I thought he was going to stand up this year and come harder at me. It was probably the best match I've ever wrestled."

Libby's Josh Erickson claimed his first Rocky title and was named the tournament's outstanding wrestler. The senior who claimed a state Class A title last season hiked his season record to 21-0 with a 12-2 win over Polson's Brett Owen in the 171-pound match. Erickson joins a very elite group of Montana wrestlers to win state, Rocky and Tri-State titles in his career. Erickson has won the Tri-State, a prestigious tournament held in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, twice.

Butte's Cole Dallaserra (119) and Great Falls Russell's Tom Daniels (140) both repeated at Rocky champs. Superior's Tyler McGillivray won his first RMC title by Brandburn at 130.

Big Sky's Will Cusker picked up a third-place finish at 119-pounds. Cusker, who wasn't seeded despite an 18-3 record entering the tournament, earned an 8-7 decision over Great Falls High's Zach Gregoire in the consolation championships. Cusker fell to Dallaserra 4-0 in the semifinals.

Big Sky's Nick Horst placed fifth at 189, while teammate Jack Lowney took sixth at 140. The Eagles finished with 62 points, good enough for 15th place.

There was a moment of silence prior to the championship round in honor of John Fisher, the former Big Sky wrestling coach who died of cancer in late October.

Hellgate finished 17th with 30 points. Missoula Sentinel placed 20th with 11 points.

The Owen factor was a little lighter at this year's tournament.

For the first time in the 27-year history of the event, Mike Owen is not in attendance. Owen, who resigned as Missoula Sentinel's wrestling coach last summer, is watching his son Corey Owen at Dickinson State in North Dakota this weekend.

Mike's older brother John, who retired as the North Idaho wrestling coach, a few years back was also not in attendance. John, who has been at the meet the last few years, is now the head coach at Central Valley in Spokane. Don't be surprised if Central Valley is invited to the Rocky next year.

Even without John and Mike, there is still plenty of the Owen clan on hand. Bob is Polson's head coach, will Bill is the assistant. Donny is coaching University High, while Tim is the head coach at Ferris High.

On the 20 teams entered in the tournament, 17 had wrestlers in Saturday morning's semifinals. Missoula Sentinel, Hamilton and Ronan were the lone schools who didn't have a grappler in the title hunt on Saturday morning.

Fifteen schools had grapplers compete in Saturday's championship finals. Eleven different programs had wrestlers in championships. Kalispell, Butte and Libby were the only teams with multiple champions.

Reporter Jon Kasper can be reached at 523-5247 or by e-mail at jkasper@missoulian.com.

Team scores: Kalispell 220, Clarkston, Wash. 180fi, University High (Spokane) 161, Butte 156, Great Falls 129fi, Corvallis 126, Libby 124, Polson 111fi, Mead, Wash., 106fi, Great Falls Russell 97, Whitefish 96, Columbia Falls 85, Superior 83fi, Ferris High (Spokane) 76, Missoula Big Sky 62, Frenchtown 54, Missoula Hellgate 30, Hamilton 23, Ronan 13, Missoula Sentinel 11.

98 lbs

CHAMPIONSHIP - Chase Fish, University, major dec. Shane Grever, Great Falls, 17-8.

THIRD-FOURTH - Danny Neff, Whitefish, pinned John Zins, 4:34.

FIFTH-SIXTH - Chris Bick, Frenchtown, dec. Conlin Benson, Polson, 7-2.

CHAMPIONSHIP SEMIFINALS - Shane Grever, Great Falls, dec. John Zins, Ferris, 7-6; Chase Fish, University, pinned Conlin Benson, Polson, 1:31.

105 lbs

CHAMPIONSHIP - Aric Tarr, Columbia Falls, dec. Cory Fish, University, 3-2.

THIRD-FOURTH - Brandon Mitchell, Kalispell, dec. Caleb Wainwright, Whitefish, 5-3.

FIFTH-SIXTH - Taylor Nagel, Corallis, dec. Ben Spencer, Great Falls, 6-3.

CHAMPIONSHIP SEMIFINALS - Aric Tarr, Columbia Falls, major dec. Caleb Wainwright, Whitefish, 14-4; Cory Fish, University, dec. Brandon Mitchell, Kalispell, 6-0.

112 lbs

CHAMPIONSHIP - Tyler O'Myer, Kalispell dec. Taylor Yonago, Ferris, 8-4.

THIRD-FOURTH - Brandon Stedman, Frenchtown, dec. T.J. Renz, Butte, 1-0.

FIFTH-SIXTH - Ian Matson, Mead, pinned Mike Malsam, University, :37.

CHAMPIONSHIP SEMIFINALS - Tyler O'Myer, Kalispell, dec. T.J. Renz, Butte, 13-10; Taylor Yonago, Ferris, dec. Brandon Stedman, Frenchtown, 13-10.

119 lbs

CHAMPIONSHIP - Cole Dallaserra, Butte, major dec. James Standerfer, Clarkston, 13-0.

THIRD-FOURTH - Will Cusker, Big Sky, dec. Zach Gregoire, Great Falls, 8-7.

FIFTH-SIXTH - Josh Henderson, Frenchtown, dec. Devin Nagel, Corvallis, 8-2.

CHAMPIONSHIP SEMIFINALS - Cole Dallaserra, Butte, dec. Will Cusker, Big Sky, 4-0; James Standerfer, Clarkston, dec. Devin Nagel, Corvallis, 9-3;

125 lbs

CHAMPIONSHIP - Brandon Haman, Great Falls, dec. Jason Fairley, Clarkston, 10-7.

THIRD-FOURTH - Robbie Kinkel, Kalispell, dec. Trevor Robbe, University, 5-2.

FIFTH-SIXTH - Beau McGillivray, Superior, dec. Frank Schwartz, Butte, 12-7.

CHAMPIONSHIP SEMIFINALS - Brandon Haman, Great Falls, dec. Robbie Kinkel, Kalispell, 4-1; Jason Fairley, Clarkston, dec. Beau McGillivray, Superior, 11-10.

130 lbs

CHAMPIONSHIP - Tyler McGillivray, Superior, dec. Trace Bradburn, Mead, 11-3.

THIRD-FOURTH - Jeremy Montang, University, dec. Kaine Zetterberg, Polson, 5-3.

FIFTH-SIXTH - Noah McEwen, Butte, major dec. Seth Cummings, Whitefish, 11-3.

CHAMPIONSHIP SEMIFINALS - Trace Bradburn, Mead, dec. Noah McEwen, Butte, 3-2; Tyler McGillivray, Superior, dec. Kaine Zetterberg, Polson, 7-1.

135 lbs

CHAMPIONSHIP - Mike McPeak, Clarkston, dec. Sean Dellwo, Polson, 13-10.

THIRD-FOURTH - Jace Oeleis, CMR, dec. Ryan Nelson, Kalispell, 13-6.

FIFTH-SIXTH - Tyler Bothman, Libby, won by injury default over Nate Sawhill, Mead

CHAMPIONSHIP SEMIFINALS - Mike McPeak, Clarkston, pinned Ryan Nelson, Kalispell, 1:45; Sean Dellwo, Polson, dec. Jace Oeleis, CMR, 14-9.

140 lbs

CHAMPIONSHIP - Tom Daniels, CMR, dec. Colt Heger, Clarkston, 1:46.

THIRD-FOURTH - Jeremy Noble, Great Falls, dec. Kyle Yonago, Ferris, 6-4 OT.

FIFTH-SIXTH - Brady Nagel, Corvallis, dec. Jack Lowney, Big Sky, 7-3.

CHAMPIONSHIP SEMIFINALS - Tom Daniels, CMR, dec. Kyle Yonago, Ferris, 3-2; Colt Heger, Clarkston, major dec. Jeremy Noble, Great Falls, 12-3.

145 lbs

CHAMPIONSHIP - Devin Eystad, Kalispell, dec. Jake Spencer, Libby, 13-7.

THIRD-FOURTH - Brandon Henry, Great Falls, dec. Nick Zumwalt, University, 7-2.

FIFTH-SIXTH - Thomas Whittum, Clarkston, dec. Ryan Buck, Columbia Falls, 4-3.

CHAMPIONSHIP SEMIFINALS - Devin Eystad, Kalispell, dec. Ryan Buck, Columbia Falls, 9-5; Jake Spencer Libby, dec. Thomas Whittum, Clarkston, 7-5.

152 lbs

CHAMPIONSHIP - Austin Ouellette, Hellgate, dec. Caleb Cousins, Corvallis, 6-3.

THIRD-FOURTH - Neil Didier, Mead, pinned Bandy Earl, Clarkston, 1:26.

FIFTH-SIXTH - Logan Kugler, Polson, won by injury default over Ryan McCracken, CMR.

CHAMPIONSHIP SEMIFINALS - Caleb Cousins, Corvallis, pinned Bandy Earl, Clarkston, 3:57; Austin Ouellette, Hellgate, dec. Logan Kugler, Polson, 7-3.

160 lbs

CHAMPIONSHIP - Kevin Owen, Polson, major dec. Chris Thompson, Kalispell, 12-2.

THIRD-FOURTH - Ty Aiken, Clarkston, dec. Russ Jessop, Corvallis, 4-2.

FIFTH-SIXTH - Tyler McPherson, Mead, dec. Cameron Prinzing, Great Falls, 5-1.

CHAMPIONSHIP SEMIFINALS - Kevin Owen, Polson, dec. Russ Jessop, Corvallis, 5-1; Chris Thompson, Kalispell, dec. Ty Aiken, Clarkston, 8-4.

171 lbs

CHAMPIONSHIP - Josh Erickson, Libby, pinned Brett Owen, Polson, 4:46.

THIRD-FOURTH - Randy Hazlett, Butte, dec. Jarod Cooper, Clarktson, 5-2.

FIFTH-SIXTH - Dan Alexander, Superior, won by injury default over Joey Korn, University.

CHAMPIONSHIP SEMIFINALS - Josh Erickson, Libby, pinned Joey Korn, University, 3:13; Brett Owen, Polson, dec. Dan Alexander, Superior, 5-0.

189 lbs

CHAMPIONSHIP - Greg Thompson, Kalispell, pinned David Ampudia, Columbia Falls, 4:50.

THIRD-FOURTH - Logan Labbe, Superior, dec. Travis Hagen, Clarkston, 6-4, OT.

FIFTH-SIXTH - Nick Horst, Big Sky won by injury default over Lars Bouge, University.

CHAMPIONSHIP SEMIFINALS - David Ampudia, Columbia Falls, dec. Logan Labbe, Superior 8-7; Greg Thompson, Kalispell, dec. Travis Hagen, Clarkston, 5-3.

215 lbs

CHAMPIONSHIP - Josh Robinson, Butte, pinned Larry Johnston, Kalispell, 1:00.

THIRD-FOURTH - Travis Hjort, Libby, won by forfeit over Aaron Silva, University.

FIFTH-SIXTH - Peter Clark, Mead, pinned Cody Jessop, Corvallis

CHAMPIONSHIP SEMIFINALS - Josh Robinson, Butte, pinned Travis Hjort, Libby, 3:59; Larry Johnston, Kalispell, pinned Peter Clark, Mead.

HWT

CHAMPIONSHIP - Keevin Bertelsen, Libby, won by injury default over Tiger Harris, Kalispell.

THIRD-FOURTH - John Turrin, CMR, pinned Darred Sybrant, Corvallis, 1:55.

FIFTH-SIXTH - Troy Parker, Whitefish won by injury default over Randy Ross, Ferris.

CHAMPIONSHIP SEMIFINALS - Keevin Bertelsen, Libby, major dec. Troy Parker, Whitefish, 9-1; Tiger Harris, Kalispell, dec. John Turrin, CMR, 5-4.

Sidney, Polson ranked 1-2 in first mat poll

Three Western Division wrestling teams crowd three of the top four slots in
the state Class A preseason coaches poll released this week.Sidney from the Eastern Division holds down the No. 1 position with Polson second, Columbia Falls third and Libby fourth. Also from the west, Corvallis is ranked No. 7.

The wrestling season officially gets under way this week.

Preseason Rankings Class A Wrestling Coaches Poll

1. Sidney.

2. Polson.

3. Columbia Falls.

4. Libby.

5. Hardin.

6. Laurel.

7.Corvallis.

8. Colstrip.

9. Dillon.

10. Glendive.

From Jeff Thompson - thompsonj@sd5.k12.mt.us

Montana Preseason Wrestling Rankings

MT All-Class Preseason Wrestling Rankings

By Jeff Thompson - thompsonj@sd5.k12.mt.us
9-12-03

1. Billings Skyview-(8 State Placers Returning) 2nd AA 2003
2. Sidney, (7 Returning) 1st A
3. Butte, (6 Returning) 1st AA
4. Flathead , (7 Returning) 3rd AA
5. Conrad, (6 Returning) 1st BC

Note: We all meet at the Mining City Duals in Butte, November 12-13. It should be a great weekend of wrestling.

MT Top 10 Wrestlers
1. Tyrell Todd- Senior, Bozeman High School, 2X State Champion/ 2nd / 2003 Jr. National Placer winner
2. Beau Malia, Senior, Billings Skyview, 3X State Champion
3. Jake Kallestad, Senior, Belgrade, 2X State Champion, 2nd
4. Kody Toliver, Sophomore, Great Falls High, State Champion
5. Brandon Haman, Senior, Great Falls High, State Champion/ 2X 2nd
6. Joe Lauer, Senior, Billings Skyview, 3X State Champion
7. Josh Erickson- Libby, State Champion, Cadet National Placer

Preseason Class Rankings

AA Team Rankings
1. Billings Skyview
2. Butte
3. Flathead High School
4. Billings West
5. Great Falls High School

A Team Rankings
1. Sidney
2. Libby
3. Polson/ Columbia Falls

BC Rankings
1. Conrad
2. Choteau
3. Arlee/ Glasgow

By:

Jeff Thompson
Montana USA Wrestling Magazine Editor
644 4th Ave. West
Kal. MT 59901
Thompsonj@sd5.k12.mt.us

Ranking of the Best High School Wrestlers in MT

Best:
Tyrell Todd- Senior, Bozeman High School, 2X State Champion/ 2nd / 2003 Jr. National Placer winner

Senior:

Beau Malia, Billings Skyview, 3X State Champion

Junior:

Tom Daniels, CMR High School, Great Falls, State Champion

Sophomore:

Kody Toliver, Sophomore, Great Falls High, State Champion

Others to Watch
1. Jake Kallestad, Bellgrade, Senior
2. Brandon Haman, Great Falls, Senior,
3. Joe Lauer, Senior, Billings Skyview,
4. Josh Erickson- Senior, Libby,
5. Nate Hopsted, Senior, Glasgow, MT

Northern opens wrestling season

HAVRE -- Montana State-Northern's wrestling team began practice for the 2003-2004 season on Thursday.

The Lights, coming off a third-place finish at the NAIA national tournament, return with 197-pound national champion Emmett Wilson and 174-pound runner-up Kyle Fisher. Also back for his senior year is three-time All-American Caleb Shaeffer at 134 pounds

More

2003-04 Montana All-Class Preseason Wrestling Rankings
9-12-03

1. Billings Skyview-(8 State Placers Returning) 2nd AA 2003
2. Sidney, (7 Returning) 1st A
3. Butte, (6 Returning) 1st AA
4. Flathead , (7 Returning) 3rd AA
5. Conrad, (6 Returning) 1st BC

Note: We all meet at the Mining City Duals in Butte, November 12-13. It should be a great weekend of wrestling.

Questions, Commets, Concerns:

Jeff Thompson
Email: thompsonj@sd5.k12.mt.us
Phone: (406) 751-3487
Fax: (406) 751-3621