MatCats take fourth at state

Hungry Horse News

The Columbia Falls wrestling team peaked at the right time.

The Wildcats earned points from each of their 12 wrestlers and took fourth at the Class A state tournament last weekend in Billings.

"The boys rose to the occasion at the end," coach Wes Knutson said. "It was fun to watch."

Seven Columbia Falls wrestlers placed in the top five. Four took second, one finished fourth and two took fifth.

Two-time defending champ Aric Tarr (119 pounds) lost a nail-biting finals match to his nemesis, Brandon Stedman, of Frenchtown. Stedman beat Tarr twice earlier this season.

The match was tied 2-2 after three periods and a one-minute overtime period. Tarr chose the down position for the 30-second sudden death overtime. If he escaped, he won. If he didn't, Stedman won.

Tarr didn't get away and took second place.

Senior Ryan Buck had a similar loss in his finals match against Libby's Steve Bertelsen at 145 pounds-but with a controversial twist.

Tied 5-5, Buck also started in the down position in sudden-death overtime

Early in the period, Knutson said Buck stood up and managed to break free from Bertelsen's grasp.

Buck paused for a moment as he saw the assistant referee's hand go up, signaling that he had an escape and the win. Bertelsen also stopped, Knutson said.

But the head referee did not give Buck the escape or blow the whistle to end the match. Bertelsen then tackled Buck and held on to him for the rest of the match.

"It was an unfortunate thing," Knutson said. "We always tell our kids to wrestle to the whistle, but it was so loud in there I don't think he could've heard it. It's the referee's judgment. There is nothing you can do."

Nevertheless, it was a fine performance by Buck, who did not place in state last year.

Freshman Michael Hader (125) also had an impressive tournament. He took second place, losing 4-0 in the finals.

Junior Dalvin Averill (135) couldn't make up a three-point deficit after two periods and eventually lost 7-2 in the finals. He also took second.

Despite the loss, Knutson said, Averill had a great stretch at the end of season.

Senior Tommy Church (275) lost in the third place match and took fourth.

Seniors Calvin Williams (160) and Nick Caron (189) both placed fifth. Caron had a solid tournament despite wrestling with a pad on his broken hand.

Freshman Cody Kolodejchuk (105), junior Corey Pete (119), junior Bobby Opp (140), sophomore Bo Hader (125) and senior Keyvin Walter (130) all tallied wins and provided team points.

Overall, it was a quality finish for a team that battled numerous illnesses and injuries throughout the season.

Before the tournament, Knutson said the team's goal was to finish in the top five.

"The kids are pretty excited," Knutson said. "Anytime you go in trying to accomplish something and you do, you feel good about it."