Flathead flys by Libby

The Daily Inter Lake

The Flathead Braves are still walking on air after last weekend's Rocky Mountain Classic victory.

The Braves are flying so high they blasted right past Class A's No. 2-ranked Libby Loggers in Tuesday's senior night wrestling dual at Flathead High School.

Six pins, a tech fall, a major decision and two Libby forfeits helped pile on the points in a lopsided 69-9 Flathead win.

"Our guys still looked pretty fresh," said Flathead coach Jeff Thompson.

"I think we're still riding the momentum."

"The 'mo' from last weekend. I would say that has a lot to do with (Tuesday's performance)," agreed Flathead senior Austin Zapata.

As for Libby, coach Jay Graham warned Thompson he may come to regret wrestling the Loggers.

"We've got the flu bug. We've been fighting it since Christmas," Graham said.

Illness and injury caused Libby to leave two varsity wrestlers at home Tuesday.

"We knew going in (the dual would be lopsided). "We're young and we've got a ways to go as far as being tougher. When you get eight freshmen and sophomores, they need a little TLC," Graham said.

"And we're a little beat up," he added.

"We tried to give (the Braves) as many matches as possible. I hoped we'd be a little bit more competitive in a couple of them."

Tuesday was a hard night for Zapata.

His match went well as he pinned his Libby opponent in just over one minute and he loved the team win.

"Knowing that this is the last time wrestling in this gym … I haven't swallowed it yet. Maybe tomorrow. It's been fun. It's been really fun."

Thompson liked what he saw Tuesday.

Several Braves wrestled up a weight - everyone from 98-pounder Shawn Lau to 135-pounder T.C. Decker moved up.

Zach Reimnitz stepped in at 98 for Flathead while Lau moved to 105, Dan Jenkins went to 112, Joaquin Calderon stepped in at 119 while Brian Ham moved to 125, Ricky Janes went to 130, Zapata to 135 and Decker to 140.

Flathead won all but one of those. Libby's Kyle Sweedman picked up a 6-4 decision over Jenkins at 112.

Thompson also complimented the jobs done by Decker at 140, Tucker Hankinson at 152 and Mark Svenson at 215.

Decker picked up a 7-4 win over Matt Roberts in the match of the night.

"He's just really moving his feet well, getting great shots," the coach said of Decker.

"You can just see the confidence when he steps out there. It doesn't matter who the opponent is," he said.

Hankinson won 9-6 over Libby's Steve Gary.

"He wrestled really, really well. Got a nice throw at the end. We expected great things from him when it comes time for state," Thompson said.

Svenson wound up being pinned by Libby's Jake Graham, but he did get a takedown.

"He put (Graham) on his back for a second there," Thompson said. "We just told him to keep his chin up."

The Braves also welcomed the return of Class AA heavyweight state runner-up Dan Ogden. A football injury caused Ogden to miss most of the season, but he celebrated his return by pinning Libby heavyweight Lyle Jordan.

"He hit a great shot," Thompson said. "He's got such quick feet for a big guy."

Flathead will wrestle the Billing schools at Great Falls Saturday.

The Loggers are busy all week. They go to Polson Thursday, then head to Belgrade for the state A duals Friday and Saturday.

Flathead 69, Libby 9

98: Zach Reimnitz, F, tech fall Mike Roby, Libby,18-3; 105: Shawn Lau, F, pinned Levi Edwards-Myslicki, 1:07; 112: Kyle Sweedman, L, dec. Dan Jenkins, F, 6-4; 119: Joaquin Calderon, F, pinned Cody Elliot, L, 1:22; 125: Brian Ham, F, pinned Caleb Gilder, L, 1:09; 130: Ricky Janes, F, pinned Kelbee Sweedman, L, 1:10; 135: Austin Zapata, F, pinned Porter Nelson, L, 1:02; 140: T.C. Decker, F, dec. Matt Roberts, L, 7-4; 145: Bryce Stacy, F, maj. dec. Richard Davidson 13-1; 152: Tucker Hankinson, F, dec. Steve Gary, L, 9-6; 160: David Lau, F, won by forfeit; 171: Luke Fischer, F, won by forfeit; 189: Drew Watkins, F, inj. default Justin Graham, L; 215: Jake Graham, L, pinned Mark Svenson, 3:31; Hwt: Dan Ogden, F, pinned Lyle Jordan, L, :53.