MHSA separates state wrestling tourney

HELENA- The state high school wrestling tournaments will not be held in Billings in February for the first time in over 20 years.

The Montana High School Association is moving the state wrestling tournaments over concern that work to repair tornado damage to Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark might not be complete in time for the Feb. 11-12 event.

The Class AA wrestling tournament will be at C.M. Russell High in Great Falls. The Class A tournament will be moved to the Butte Civic Center and the Class B-C competition will be at Hamilton High School.

The Metra has hosted the all-class wrestling tournament since 1989.

The MHSA Executive Board decided on Monday to move the wrestling tournament out of concern there might not be enough time to adjust for unforeseen construction delays. The move gives teams and fans enough time to plan travel and make room reservations and to give the host cities time to prepare, the MHSA said.

"I don't think you can beat the atmosphere of an all class tournament. You just can't beat the Metra," said Glacier head coach Mark Fischer.

"I wouldn't mind seeing the change for a year - just to show people what it would be like to split it up," he said.

"The decision has been made so we've got to go with it," he added.

CMR also hosts the mid-December Holiday Classic which the local Class AA teams attend.

"I definitely like that it's closer - and it's in a place we will be familiar with," Fischer said.

Flathead coach Matt Owen agreed that having the Class AA in Great Falls will make travel easier for fans on the west side of the state.

"Billings is a pretty good jaunt for some people," he said.

"I'm actually pretty excited about it. I think it's going to be a pretty cool deal," he said.

Owen admitted he wasn't really expecting Great Falls to get the AA bid.

"I heard they were one of the options. That was kind of a surprise, but I think it will be great."

It will be difficult not being able to see the other classes, he admitted.

"I really like being able to watch the A and B-C. I like watching my dad and uncle's team (Polson) compete," he said.

Columbia Falls athletic director John Thompson said he was surprised to see the tournaments in different venues.

"I'm surprised, but I also understand the dilemma the state faces," he said.

"Billings has done a great job. It's a great spectacle for Montana wrestling fans," he added.

"I really want to see it stay together. I hope this is just a one-year deal before they can repair the Metra," said Polson coach Bob Owen.

"I just think it's one of the great things in the world for our sport - having all the wrestlers together showcased in one arena," he said.

"This kind of opened up the door for maybe moving it, even if it is all class. There were a couple of other places that bid," Owen said.

"The Metra is fine, but it's kind of tough that we have to travel all the way over there each year. It would be neat if Missoula or Bozeman could host it," he added.

Another decision before the MHSA executive board is the Class A boys basketball tournament, which is scheduled for March 10-12 at the Metra. The board will decide during its Oct. 15 meeting whether to move that tournament. Board members wanted to give Metra officials more time to finalize construction timelines.

The arena was severely damaged by a tornado in June.