Polson wrestlers Northwestern A Divisional champions

COLUMBIA FALLS - When the smoke finally cleared on Saturday night at Columbia Falls High School, the Polson Pirates claimed their third straight Northwestern A Divisional wrestling title.

But it wasn't easy - not on a day during which the team scores seemed to change every few minutes.

But in the end, the Pirates came away with 200 points, 13 ahead of second place Libby. Frenchtown was third at 185.5, Columbia Falls fourth with 182 and Whitefish was fifth with 33.

The top four in each weight class advanced to the next weekend's state tournament in Billings.

"I went as we thought. Every time the standings would come out, it was completely scrambled. It was a fun day because of that. You were in first one minute and in third the next," said Libby Greenchain coach Kelly Morford.

Frenchtown led Polson by 3.5 points going into the championship finals, and still led by that amount four weight classes later. But by the time the 145-pound final was completed, Polson had slipped ahead by 4.5 points. It never relinquished that lead.

"We did it with a team effort. I knew this was going to be a dogfight," said Pirate coach Bob Owen.

"We got that one upset at 130 this morning (Drew Fouty pinned Josiah Osborne of Columbia Falls). That gave us a big boost. We were hoping to get an upset in that first round and we did.

"Then we just wrestled solid all day. I was really happy with the way they stayed together," Owen said.

"I think the others wrestled up to their potential - and that had to happen to win it," he said.

"They're a fun bunch, really. We had to be hard on them, but they rose to the occasion when they needed to," he said.

Polson's divisional champions are Taylor Martin (105) Craig Feistner (125) Alex Nystrom (140) Mike Devlin (152) and Josiah Clairmont (285).

Libby also had five champions. They are Zach Crace (119), Mitch Haugen (130), Kyle Leir (145), Dylan Berget (160) and Gunnar Moe (189).

Columbia Falls had three champions - Shonn Roberts (98), Josh Folsom (171) and Jacob Babcock (215).

Libby moved up one spot from third in 2011 to second.

"I'm happy with the way we wrestled. We didn't really have the depth to compete with Polson for first place. But all and all, I was happy with the way we competed," said Morford.

"All of our top guys performed as they were supposed to - and we had some big performances," he said.

For starters, Libby wound up with three freshmen in the finals.

Morford also praised the efforts of junior Gunnar Moe.

"I'm just proud of Gunnar Moe. He's come a long way in one year as a wrestler. For him to win a divisional title is pretty cool," the coach said.

Northwestern A Divisional

Feb. 4

At Columbia Falls High School

Jug Beck Quick Pin Award: Taylor Martin, Polson (3 pins in 3:10)

Team Totals

Polson 200, Libby 187, Frenchtown 185.5, Columbia Falls 182, Whitefish 33

Championship Finals

98: Shonn Roberts, CF, def. Tyler Ishler, F, 12-6. 105: Taylor Martin, P, p. Dylan Roby, L, :43. 112: Glenn Hensley, F, p. Carlos Quinones, P, 5:36. 119: Zach Crace, L, p. Dylan Moll, P, 3:57. 125: Craig Feistner, P, p. Cody Lemmons, F, 2:24. 130: Mitch Haugen, L, tech. fall Drew Fouty, P, 18-2. 135: Cody Ishler, F, dec. Adam Richardson, CF, 5-1. 140: Alex Nystrom, P, p. Garret Chapel, 1:30. 145: Kyle Leir, L, dec. Kohl Thompson, CF, 6-2. 152: Mike Devlin, P, dec. Joshua Bowers, L, 6-0. 160: Dylan Berget, L, dec. Jacob Burgess, CF, 12-5. 171: Josh Folsom, CF, dec. David Anderson, F, 5:29. 189: Gunnar Moe, L, dec. Marcus Ross, CF, 3-2. 215: Jacob Babcock, CF, def. Jordan Zuraff, FT, 8-4. 285: Josiah Clairmont, P, p. Wolf Zinke, WF, :35

Consolation Finals

98: Alex Helgeson, P, dec. Caleb Bagness, F, 6-3. 105: Preston Downard, F, maj. dec. Ryan Stenerson, F, 11-1. 112: Lucas Polk, P, p. Matt Barton, W, :39. 119: Carson Wabaunsee, F, p. Trysten Armstrong, W, :28. 125: Cody Hader, CF, maj. dec. Aaron Seefeldt, L, 14-5. 130: Josiah Osborne, p. Roy Schutter, F, :46. 135: Skylar Anderson, P, dec. Zayne Brunz, CF, 7-5, OT. 140: Bryan Shaffer, CF, def. Chase Ramberg, CF, 6-3. 145: Travis Provicne, CF, dec. Tel Motichka, P, 8-7. 152: Seth Hagan, F, tech fall Jared Young, P, 20-3. 160: Sam Gordan, F, won by injury default. 171: Robin Kyes, L, dec. Austin Bailey, L, 3-2. 189: Marlin Burke, P, p. Rand Pritzkau, F, 5-4. 215: Zach Dolezal, L, p. Aaron Vick, W, 1:59. 285: Nathan Bennett, F, def. Wayde Motichka, CF, 3-1, OT

Fifth/Sixth Place

105: Garrett Rice, W, p. Jordan Hughes, CF, :31. 130: Steven Walk, P, def Judah Prestegaard, W. 140: Drew Carruth, P def. Kody Wilson, F. 145: Ricky Roach, L, def. Tucker Truett, F. 152: Aundre Condit, L, def. Brendan Moseman, CF. 189: Jacob Forrest, W, received a bye. 215: Spencer Ross, CF, def. Keleb Auld, P