Special day for Zapata, Thompson

Senior wrestler adds to his takedown total; Flathead coach picks up his 100 dual win

It's easy to see why Austin Zapata is Flathead's takedown specialist.

The 135-pound senior registered seven in a matinee wrestling match Friday with Missoula Sentinel at the FHS gym.

Then in an evening dual at Whitefish he came back to collect eight more, six coming in a very busy third period, for a 22-10 decision of Cody Morris. That gives Zapata an amazing team-leading total of 44 for the season.

"Zapata is just a takedown machine," said FHS coach Jeff Thompson.

"He's been wrestling well all season. One of his goals this year was to get better on his feet. He's taking a lot of guys down, cutting them loose and working right in on another takedown."

Zapata dropped Sentinel's Austin Edwards to the mat three times in the opening two-minute period, two coming in the first 52 seconds of action. He added another takedown in the second period and finished with three more in the third period. The last two were magically pulled off in the final 15 seconds of the match.

That helped Zapata cruise to an easy 15-4 decision as Flathead smashed Sentinel 67-9 in the dual.

Flathead then posted a perfect score in its dual with Whitefish, 82-0. That win was also Thompson's 100th in seven seasons at Flathead. He has just 19 dual losses.

"It's just another wrestling match, just a number," said Thompson, downplaying the coaching milestone.

"The kids wrestled really well. We got the job done. It's a great way to go into the Christmas break."

On Thursday, the Braves stomped Missoula Big Sky, 72-12, and Missoula Hellgate, 79-3.

FHS is now 12-1 in duals to date.

"A great two days for us," said Thompson.

"I'm very happy with the way these guys are wrestling. Again, a great way to end the year."

Zapata did not wrestle in Thursday's double dual with Missoula's Big Sky and Hellgate.

"Pinkeye, the flu," he said.

"I got it in the middle of the day. I left school and got some medicine as soon as possible."

He showed no ill effects of either alignment on Friday, finishing both matches as strongly as he started them.

"I'm quick on my feet,' said Zapata, who improved to 16-3 on the season.

"I like wrestling on my feet."

Zapata, in his senior season with the Braves and his third at the varsity level, has been wrestling at 130 pounds. But he was one of six Braves who moved up a weight class for the day.

"The Christmas break is coming up," he said.

"Kind of tough (making weight)."

Zapata last year finished third at state at 125 pounds. He was second at 112 his sophomore season.

"This year, at the beginning, I didn't take as many guys down," he said.

"I was pinning kids."

But both matches went the distance, giving Zapata a chance to add to his takedown total.

His decision was one of four posted by the Braves in the Sentinel dual. FHS won seven matches - Shawn Lau at 105, Brian Hamm at 125, Ryan Thiel at 140, Bryce Stacy at 145, Tyler Wells at 152, David Lau at 160 and Luke Fisher at 189 - by pin.

Justin Waverek, 215, and Cory Simonson, heavyweight, both won by forfeit.

Ricky Janes, 130, had the toughest match versus Sentinel, pulling out a 5-4 decision over Dan Hamilton.

"Two returning state placers," Thompson said of that battle.

"Ricky lost to him a couple of times last year. It was a great match."

Thompson said Drew Watkins, 171 pounds, was equally impressive in his outing. Watkins decisioned Bobby Bordner, 5-1.

"He (Watkins) lost to Bordner twice last year," Thompson said.

"Another guy chipping away, constantly improving is our sophomore 98 pounder Zach Reimnitz," Thompson continued.

"He's like a hummingbird out there, constantly improving, always attacking. He could be a high state placer this year."

Whitefish forfeited eight weight classes to Flathead. Of the seven matches held, Watkins, Fisher and Waverek posted pins.

The closest match was at 145 where Stacy decisioned Whitefish's talented Matt Starr, 6-3.

Flathead 67, Missoula Sentinel 9

98 - Zach Reimnitz, F, dec. Cliff Evans, 3-0; 105 - Shawn Lau, F, pinned Jeff Meier, 1:00; 112 - Jake Love, MS, pin Dan Jenkins, 5:59; 119 - Kyle Ritchie, MS, dec. Tanner Beaman, 11-0; 125 - Brian Hamm, F, pinned Justin Mikkola, 1:40; 130 - Ricky Janes, F, dec. Dan Hamilton, 5-4; 135 - Austin Zapata, F, dec. Austin Edwards, 15-4; 140 - Ryan Thiel, F, pinned Eli Kindred, 1:38; 145 - Bryce Stacy, F, pinned Josh Hamilton, 3:56; 152 - Tyler Wells, F, pinned Cody Houppert, 2:56; 160 - David Lau, F, pinned Austin Lord, 1:24; 171 - Drew Watkins, F, dec. Bobby Bordner, 5-1; 189 - Luke Fisher, F, pinned Bentley Alsup, 1:45; 215 - Justin Waverek, F, won by forfeit; Hwt - Cory Simonson, F, won by forfeit.

Flathead 82, Whitefish 0

98 - Zach Reimnitz, F, won by forfeit; 105 - Shawn Lau, F, won by forfeit; 112 - Dan Jenkins, F, won by forfeit; 119 - Tanner Beaman, F, won by forfeit; 125 - Brian Ham, F, won by forfeit; 130 - Ricky Janes, F, won by forfeit; 135 - Austin Zapata, F, dec. Cody Morris, 22-10; 140 - Ryan Thiel, F, dec. Kaleb Prestegaard, 13-4; 145 - Bryce Stacy, F, dec. Matt Starr, 6-3; 152 - Tyler Wells, F, dec. Randy Martin, 22-4; 160 - David Lau, F, won by forfeit; 171 - Drew Watkins, F, pinned Jake Beck, 1:03; 189 - Luke Fisher, F, pinned Jake Scheel, 2:45; 215 - Justin Waverek, F, pinned Kevin McDowell, 1:19; Hwt - Cory Simonson, F, won by forfeit.