Wolfpack rolls in first wrestling dual, 70-8
Glacier's Kaleb Mitchell (right) keeps his eyes on Butte's Jarret Rowling as the two attempt to gain control in a 98-pound match. Mitchell won by major decision.
Sorry coach, but The Fab Five moniker is already taken.
So, how about the Fantastic Five.
Glacier Wolfpack wrestling coach Mark Fischer saw his five freshman begin their varsity careers with impressive performances on Friday in a 70-8 Class AA dual victory over Butte.
Glacier’s ninth graders, wrestling in the five lowest weight classes, managed to go 4-1 on the day with Alex
Mitchell (105) and Grant Tafoya (112) both posting pins.
Tafoya’s came just 29 seconds into the match.
Kaleb Mitchell (98) won by major decision and Jackson Barger (119) pulled out a tight 7-6 decision.
Lucas Mantel (125) came up short in his debut, getting pinned in the first period.
“Last year we were pretty concerned (with the lower weights),” Fischer said.
“We had to give up some forfeits. This year, it doesn’t matter any more.”
Glacier, which had a full lineup, finished with nine pins, picked up six easy points off a forfeit and totaled three decisions (one was a major).
“Everyone on the team (wrestled well),” Fischer said.
“It was a total team effort.”
The dual opened at 152 with Butte’s Jake Dallaserra pulling out a tough 5-3 decision over Riley Pisk.
“Riley Pisk started off with their toughest kid,” Fischer said.
“He was wrestling a multi-state placer.
“He (Pisk) knows now he can wrestle with him, at this level,” Fischer added.
“He’s right in the mix.”
Fischer said Pisk’s inspirational effort pumped the Wolfpack up for a big outing.
“From there, the team picked up the fire and kept the momentum going,” he said.
Did it ever.
Glacier won the next five matches by pins — Travis Woodland (160), Logan Clay (171), Boyce Ballard (189), Jake Criner (215) and Dan Gilbert (285). That gave the Wolfpack a comfortable 34-2 advantage.
Glacier’s other pins were turned in by Cooper Sipe (130) and Shane St. Onge (140).
Stormy Day, who missed all of last season with a back injury, finished off the dual with a well-deserved 8-4 decision.
“Nervous, a little rusty,” Fischer said of his 145-pound junior.
“He just needs some mat time.”
Day, and the rest of the Wolfpack squad, will get plenty of that — mat time — today at the Polson Invitational. Wrestling begins at 9:30 a.m.
Glacier 70, Butte 8
152 — Jake Dallaserra, B, dec. Riley Pisk, 5-3; 160 — Travis Woodland, G, pinned Zach Bolton, 1:03; 171 — Logan Clay, G, pinned Austin Pesanti, 1:15; 189 — Boyce Ballard, G, pinned Russ Hildreth, 3:52; 215 — Jake Criner, G, pinned Nick Matich, 3:25; 285 — Dan Gilbert, G, pinned Cole Tripp, 1:00; 98 — Kaleb Mitchell, G, maj. dec. Jarret Rowling, 10-2; 105 — Alex Mitchell, G, pinned Tyler Harney, 3:47; 112 — Grant Tafoya, G, pinned Andrew Vialpando, :29; 119 — Jackson Barber, G, dec. Kelly Kissell, 7-6; 125 — Tom Challeen, B, pinned Lucas Mantel, :51; 130 — Cooper Sipe, G, pinned Logan Shrader, 3:40; 135 — Tyler Hendrickson, G, won by forfeit; 140 — Shane St. Onge, G, pinned Chris Renz, 3:54; 145 — Stormy Day, G, dec. Cody LeProwse, 8-4.
#Butte was docked one team point for unsportsmanlike conduct.