Future bright for FHS, Glacier mat programs
Roster for AA state champs will be split between 2 schools
There's enough for everybody.
That's the message from the 2007 Class AA state wrestling champion Flathead High School coaches as they prepare to split next fall into the Flathead High Braves and the Glacier High Wolfpack.
"We aren't going to change what we are doing as a coaching staff just because we have two high schools next year," Flathead head coach Jeff Thompson said.
"I guess we're kind of seeing it as a separation, not quite a divorce.
"We are still going to be working with those kids that go to Glacier in the offseason. We're always going to be rooting for them and hoping the best for them," the coach added.
Thompson and four of this year's assistant coaches - Jeff Anderson, Suny Cheff, Dallas Stuker and Jeff Sipe - will remain at Flathead.
Flathead assistants Mark Fischer and Matt Owen are among those who have put in for the Glacier job, Thompson said.
"Our goal each year is to win the state championship as a team, bring home individual state champions and help these young men develop lifelong skills along the way through this great sport of wresting," Thompson said.
The split has been an opportunity to teach some of those life skills.
"It's pretty tough on a lot of kids. It's a life lesson, a little adversity here for them.
"But overall, for the most part, the kids are looking forward to the opportunities. And we've tried to be positive as a coaching staff."
Thompson points to the success of the Flathead feeder program.
"Our Little Guy Wrestling programs with Kalispell Wrestling Club and Evergreen Wrestling Club continue feeding us great athletes, who expect to become state champions in high school - and these programs are only getting stronger and the expectations of these young men are only getting higher."
Thompson also pointed out Kalispell entered two teams at this year's junior high state duals. Kalispell's first team won it and the second team placed fifth. The two teams combined for a 9-1 record.
"We just kind of shape them and mold them in high school. The foundation is already under them.
"We need to keep the ball rolling and success builds upon our success. Our kids come into our program and expect to be successful and be on successful teams. That will not change and we need to continue to raise the bar each and every year."
But ask which wrestlers might be attending which high school next year - and the answers don't come as easily.
"We're not 100 percent sure yet," Thompson said.
Since all the district's seniors will attend Flathead next fall, that means Brian Ham (119), T.C. Decker (135), Tyler Wells (152), David Lau (160), Luke Fischer (171) Justin Waverek and Mark Svenson (both at 215), will all be at Flathead.
In addition, it appears the following wrestlers will remain at Flathead: Shawn Lau (98 - sophomore), Dan Jenkins (105 - junior), Tanner Beaman (112 - junior), Joaquin Calderon (112 - sophomore), Ryan Thiel (135 -junior), Caleb Allen-Schmid (140 - sophomore), Bryce Stacy (145 - junior) and Tyler Thomas (heavyweight - junior).
Shawn Lau, Ham and Stacy were all state champions at the recent all-class state wrestling tournament in Billings. Lau, who won the quick pin award at the state tournament, also set Flathead records with 40 wins (Mikey Kuehne and Brian Ham each had 39 wins in 2005) and the most team points with 223.
Decker, Wells, David Lau and Fischer all placed second in the state.
"We're losing our depth is the key thing. (The Wolfpack) is going to have a lot of serious depth with some younger talent," Thompson said.
"The future is very bright for Flathead and Glacier wrestling."
Flathead Wrestling
2007 State Champions
Team awards (voted on by the team)
Outstanding wrestler: Bryce Stacy/Brian Ham
Most inspirational wrestler: Levi Holt/Wade Clarke
Most exciting wrestler: Tyler Wells
Most improved wrestler: Joaquin Calderon
Outstanding freshman wrestler: Shawn Lau
Most dedicated wrester: Austin Zapata
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Results For Against
Team points 4561 12 Decisions 252 174
Falls 574 240
Tech falls 24 14
Major decisions 78 60
Forfeits 7 0
Defaults 52 0
Disqualifications 0 0
Individuals
Most team points
1. Shawn Lau 223
2. Brian Ham 193
3. David Lau 193
4. Tanner Beaman 165
5. Tyler Wells 165
Most wins
1. Shawn Lau 40
2. Brian Ham 35
3. Austin Zapata 35
4. Tanner Beaman 34
5. David Lau 34
Most takedowns
1. Austin Zapata 89
2. Tyler Wells 81
3. David Lau 56
4. Bryce Stacy 56
5. Drew Watkins 54
Most decisions
1. Austin Zapata 16
2. Ricky Janes 14
3. Bryce Stacy 14
4. Tanner Beaman 11
5. Ryan Thiel 10
Most falls
1. Shawn Lau 27
2. Brian Ham 24
3. David Lau 24
4. Luke Fischer 21
5. Justin Waverek 21
Most tech falls
1. Jesse Morritt 3
2. Zach Reimnitz 2
3. Drew Watkins 2
4. Jonah Franchi 2
5. Dan Jenkins 2
Most major decisions
1. Dan Jenkins 6
2. Tucker Hankinson 5
3. Austin Zapata 5
4. Brian Ham 4
5. Tyler Wells 4
Most forfeits
1. Ian Damon 1
2. Brian Ham 1
3. David Lau 1
4. Tucker Hankinson 1
5. Jesse Morritt 1
Most defaults
1. Shawn Lau 6
2. Zach Reimnitz 5
3. David Lau 4
4. Ryan Swelland 3
5. Ryan Thiel 3
Most 3-point near falls
1. Dan Jenkins 31
2. Tyler Wells 23
3. Tanner Beaman 22
4. Drew Watkins 19
5. Jonah Franchi 17
Most 2-point near falls
1. Luke Fischer 13
2. Tyler Wells 13
3. Tanner Beaman 12
4. TC Decker 12
5. Tucker Hankinson 11
Most reversals
1. Tanner Beaman 33
2. Tyler Wells 22
3. Joaquin Calderon 21
4. Justin Waverek 19
5. Drew Watkins 18
Most escapes
1. Dan Jenkins 42
2. Tanner Beaman 34
3. Tyler Thomas 32
4. Ricky Janes 31
5. Drew Watkins 31
Most penalty points
1. Ricky Janes 7
2. Ryan Thiel 5
3. Justin Waverek 5
4. Drew Watkins 5
5. Tyler Thomas 5
Most N4
1. Tanner Beaman 1
2. Justin Hughes 1
3. Shawn Lau 1