Flathead grapplers fifth after first day of tourney
COEUR d’ALENE, Idaho – Flathead is off to a strong start at the Tri-State Wrestling Tournament, sitting in fifth place after one day of action.
The Braves have 87 points. Mead High School, Wa., leads with 121.5.
“Overall it was a great day and a huge improvement from last week,” Flathead coach Jeff Thompson said.
Flathead’s Cole Eastwood (106) will be the Braves’ representative in today’s semifinal round after defeating Frenchtown’s Eli Warner in a 7-6 decision.
“Cole had a great quarterfinal match, it was a big stepping stone for him,” Thompson said.
Brendan Barnes (120) had a strong day, winning by pin before falling 8-2 in the quarterfinal. Fin Nadeau (132) also lost in the quarterfinal after two victories, and Tanner Russell (170) had two pins before losing in the quarterfinal.
“This team came in wanting to score, score, score,” Thompson said, adding that the Braves won a lot of close matches.
Polson’s Bridger Wenzel (152) is the other local wrestler in the semifinals. He won two matches on pins before earning a 7-1 decision over Phoenix Farrar of Orting, Wa.
Polson is in 20th with 52 points, while Libby has 22 points going into Saturday.
Tri-State Wrestling Tournament
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Team scores
Mead 121.5, Post Falls 118, Chiawana 117.5, Mt. Spokane 97.5, Flathead 87, Colville 81, Havre 81, Lake Stevens 81, Othello 79, Lakeland 76.5, Moses Lake 75.5, Tonasket 72, Bethel 70, Camas 70, Coeur d’Alene 69, Kamaikin 66, University 64.5, Orting 58, Central Valley 55, Polson 52, Libby 22.
Saturday’s semifinal pairings
106: Cole Eastwood, Flathead, vs. Mick Chagnon, Havre.
152: Bridger Wenzel, Polson, vs. Aidan Villarreal, Hermiston, Ore.
Saturday’s consolation pairings
106: Rene Pierre, Polson, vs. Jason Franklin, University, Wa.
120: Asher Kemppainen, Flathead, vs. Cameron Pleninger, Havre.
132: Zack Morrison, Libby, vs. Wyatt Springer, Lake Stevens, Wa.
138: Jaden MacNeil, Flathead, vs. Hernandez, Chiawana, Wa.; Dominic Battello, Flathead, vs. Kaleb Horn, Lake Roosevelt, Wa.
145: Trey Thompson, Libby, vs. Graham Rocha, Northwest Christian, Wa.
160: Zaybin Stewart, Flathead, vs. Scheschy, Auburn Riverside, Wa.
170: Hunter Fritsch, Polson, vs. Tanner Goff, Colville, Wa.