Northwestern A divisional wrestling crown up for grabs

  COLUMBIA FALLS - It's a four-horse race for the Northwestern A divisional wrestling crown today.

The tournament begins at 10 a.m. at Columbia Falls High School. Consolation finals are tentatively set for 5 p.m. with championship finals at 7:15 p.m.

The top four in each weight class advance to next week's Class A state tournament in Billings.

"Honestly, we could be fourth as easily as we could be first," said Libby coach Kelly Morford.

"It's anybody's race (between Libby, Polson, Frenchtown and host Columbia Falls) as far as I see it. All four have a realistic shot at winning it," he said.

"I think one of four teams could win it," agreed Polson Pirate coach Bob Owen.

"We have more parity than we've ever had. It's really a tight race and I think whoever has a good day could do it," he said.

Three of those teams were among the top 10 in this week's Class A coaches wrestling poll. They are Frenchtown at No. 6, Polson at No. 8 and Libby at No. 9.

Polson is the defending champion, having stormed back from a 30-point deficit to claim the title last year. Columbia Falls was second last year, Libby was third and Frenchtown is a new addition, having moved up from Class B.

The Loggers are bringing 14 wrestlers to divisonal and Polson has 17.

"I'm sure Frenchtown and Columbia Falls will probably bring more," Owen said.

Libby's story last year was the exact opposite of Polson's - it started fast and faded. It only won one match in the finals - Kyle Leir at 140 (now at 145).

"We have to stay focused from start to finish," Morford said.

The Libby Greenchain seniors see this divisional as an opportunity, he added.

"I think the kids know they have an opportunity to compete for a divisonal championship. They're excited to go and show everybody what they're made of. I think we're in a good spot right now," he said.

"It's an opportunity for our seniors to leave a mark on the program."

"We've been battling some illness, but I'm sure everybody has. Hopefully, they're strong enough to wrestle well this weekend."

Morford expects the 171-pound weight class to be among the more hotly contested.

Columbia Falls' Josh Folsom, Libby's Austin Bailey and Frenchtown's David Anderson are all among the state's best wrestlers in that class. Libby's Robin Kyes is also in that class.

"Any of those four guys could beat any other. They've been going round and round all year," Morford said.

Owen expects 98, 112, 119, 125, 130, 135,and either 189 or 215 (depending on where Libby enters Gunnar Moe) to be hotly contested weight classes.

Most of the other weight classes have an individual who has been dominant in the division.