Schaeffer's smile is all about wrestling

He's a little older. A little bigger. A little less hair on top. But talk wrestling with Caleb Schaeffer and a big broad smile grows on his face.

It's the same big old grin he flashed 10 years ago to packed gyms in Columbia Falls when he downed yet another opponent with a flourish.

Caleb, now 29, brought that same enthusiasm to the sport last week as he headed up an all-ages wrestling camp at the Columbia Falls High School with his brothers Jessie and Ben. Jessie is the head coach of the varsity team here. Ben is an assistant. All three were standout wrestlers in Columbia Falls.

But Caleb always had a flair for the dramatic and he preached a similar message, as well as practical wrestling advice to about 40 young wrestlers that attended the camp.

"We're losing programs left and right (at the college level)," Schaeffer said. "We need more of a spectator sport."

He said many wrestlers are too defensive — trying to win with a single point instead of going for a takedown, for example.

Caleb's love for the sport didn't end at high school. He went on to wrestle for Montana State University Northern and was a National Association Intercollegiate Athletic champion at 133 pounds in 2004.

After receiving his degree, Caleb became an assistant wrestling coach at the University of Great Falls and three years ago he was named the head coach at the private catholic school.

Caleb Schaeffer at a private catholic school?

He smiles.

"I've settled down," he said. "A lot."

Caleb is married to his wife, Annie. He still loves to wrestle, though he admits the sport has taken a bit of a toll on his frame.

"I don't wrestle with the seniors anymore," he said.

Caleb and his coaching staff are always looking for new talent for UGF. Columbia Falls state champion wrestler Michael Hader recently joined the team and took eighth in the NAIA national championships as a freshman.

He said the UGF team will visit Columbia Falls Nov. 13 and 17 for intersquad matches so wrestlers can get a taste of the college experience.