WRESTLING PREVIEW: Flathead, Vasquez look to get back on top

Now for an encore.

Flathead sophomore Trae Vasquez had an outstanding start to his prep wrestling career a season ago, scoring a reverse in the final seconds of his championship match to win the Class AA 112-pound state title in his first year as a Brave.

With his goal to become the first Flathead wrestler to win four straight championships on track, this season, where he will start at 126 pounds and shift down to 120, brings even more expectations.

“I’ll be working hard for it,” Vasquez said. “Every day is a new challenge. I love the sport, I love working hard for it.”

Vasquez, who is undefeated to start the season, leads a young and talented Flathead team that will look to get back into the title hunt for the first time in a few years.

Joining him as returning state placers are sophomore Payton Hume, fourth at 132 pounds last season, senior Logan Wilson, fourth at 182, and junior Matt Gash-Gilder, who was sixth at 170. Seniors Anthony Wright and Payton Boyce will also add to a team that will typically start as many as six sophomores.

Even with a young team again this season, Vasquez said the Braves are far ahead of the pace they’ve been at the last few seasons, and it shows in the team’s depth.

“I think we’re balanced everywhere,” Braves coach Rich Vasquez said. “Looking through our lineup as we go through it, once everybody drops to weight especially.

“We can go with anybody, anywhere. I’m excited about that. There’s no holes.

“We’ve got a real good group of kids, those older kids are real good leaders at this point. We’re moving in the right direction.”

Flathead will be one of a handful of teams expected to make a push for a title this season along with three-time defending champs Great Falls High.

In order to keep the pressure off and prevent the weight of the season from wearing out the kids, Rich Vasquez said he would be mixing things up this season to keep the mood light.

“I don’t want to make it a grind so they just hate it,” he said.

“It’s gotta be fun, it’s a tough sport. That’s our goal. You can see the guys respond to that. They wrestle their hearts out out there, they go hard, I love it.”

“Leadership, we’re definitely not lacking there, even though we’re a little young. We have the right guys in the room to keep us where we need to be.”

Across town, Glacier is also fielding a young squad, with just three seniors in the starting lineup.

The Wolfpack graduated two of its three state placers from last season and a handful of longtime starters for the program.

Leading the returning Pack wrestlers is Justin Gibson, the only returning state placer, who finished fourth at 103 pounds last season. Gibson bulked up considerably over the offseason and will start the year at 132 pounds, leading a group of talented wrestlers that includes junior Sam Barber and seniors Donavon Macura and Eli Horn.

“They’ve been in the program with me now for three years. They understand what we want to do and you can really tell the team is bought into the program,” Glacier coach Ross Dankers said.

“We’re looking to capitalize on some of that hard work (they’ve put in). We had a bunch of guys wrestling all spring and we’re hoping to see them take that jump.”

Polson and Columbia Falls remain at the top of Class A contenders, along with perennial powers Havre and Sidney.

The Pirates return eight wrestlers, including three state placers in Mike Corrigan (fourth at 205), Mateo Quinones (fifth at 103) and Cameron Brown (fifth at 113). RJ Pierre is the top ranked 103-pounder in the class and Bridger Wenzel, Shane Pierre, Parker Adler, Colten Cote and Noah Humphrey also should contend at state.

Columbia Falls loses three-time state champion Shonn Roberts after a marvelous career for the Mat Cats, but returns another loaded group. Kaleb Gravelin, second at 132 last season, returns as the only state placer after four others graduated last season. He will be joined by Austin Nelson, Brandon Thomas, Colton McPhee and Jake Freeman.

Eureka is back among the class of Class B, led by Jonathan Schmidt, who was fourth place at 120 pounds last season for the Lions, and will compete with the best at 132 this year. Josh Schmidt should be among the best at 138, ranked second in the class to start the season.

Libby, which drops down to Class B after graduating two-time state champion Garrett Chapel and third place finisher Zach Crace.

The Greenchain is back in good hands, however, led by Buddy Doolin at 103 and Laine Young at 138.

Colstrip and Choteau should battle for the crown this season, with each team touting three wrestlers at the top of their class.