Wrestling team finds focus against Wildcats

The Bulldog wrestling team dug deep and held its own against top-rated Columbia Falls in a conference dual Thursday in Whitefish.

While the Bulldogs lost 51-16 due to forfeits, the teams split matches wrestled 4-4.

“It was nice to see there was a little more focus from our guys,” head coach Ryan Boyle said.

The night began with a bang for Whitefish with 106-pounder Dillon Thorsteinson pinning Manny Guzman in 52 seconds.

138-pounder Skyler Bowerman added to the Dogs point total with a dominating 9-1 decision over Storm Kempfian. Bowerman scored a takedown in the first round for an early edge. A nice escape led to another takedown in the second. In the final round Bowerman scored a takedown and a near fall for the decision.

“He controlled the match,” Boyle said. “He always brings the intensity. He’s a fighter and likes to battle no matter who it is against. He’s new to wrestling, but what he lacks in technique he makes up for with intensity.”

145-pounder Judah Prestegaard battled for three rounds and held on for a 4-2 decision over Tristan Steinwand.

152-pounder Matthew Sampson picked up a 9-1 decision over Harvey Barlow.

“That’s a solid win for Matthew,” Boyle said. “He had [Barlow] stuck three times.”

Sampson scored a takedown and near fall in the first round that nearly led to a pin.

“He’s been wrestling well and with a lot of confidence,” Boyle said. “He’s never lacked the physical tools, but now he’s got a mental edge.”

A moment of silence was observed prior to the dual to honor and remember the 1984 wrestling bus tragedy that killed nine people, including WHS students and wrestling coach Jim Withrow.

“Withrow would have wanted everyone to go out there and compete, and that’s what we did,” Boyle said.

Columbia Falls 51, Whitefish 16

106 – Dillon Thorsteinson, W, pinned Manny Guzman, :52. 113 – Winfield West, CF, dec. James Buckley, 8-3. 120 – Hunter Peterson, CF, pinned Garrett Rice, 3:00. 132 – Wyatt Green, CF, pinned Brooks Krause, 3:38. 138 – Skyler Bowerman, W, maj. dec. Storm Kempfian, 9-1. 145 – Judah Prestegaard, W, dec. Tristan Steinwand, 4-2. 152 – Matthew Sampson, W, maj. dec. Harvey Barlow, 9-1. 160 – Cody Walters, CF, pinned Marcus Jackson, 3:39. 195 – open. 220 – open.

Columbia Falls won 98, 126, 170, 182 and Hwt by forfeit.