Hume, Nadeau headline honorees at FHS mat banquet
Payton Hume and Tucker Nadeau were honored as outstanding wrestlers at Flathead’s team banquet, held weeks after the Braves capped a 21-2 season with their second consecutive state team championship.
Hume and Nadeau accounted for two of Flathead’s three individual champions at the state meet in Billings on Feb. 9-10.
Hume took a major decision from Brock Bushfield, a two-time state champion from Billings Skyview, to capture the 170-pound title.
Nadeau finished an undefeated season at 46-0 with a pin of Missoula Sentinel’s Dylan Goforth in the 182 finals.
Flathead’s other individual champion, heavyweight Michael Lee, won the most exciting wrestler award along with Kenyon Fretwell.
The trio of champions carried the Braves to a 66-point edge over the Class AA field.
Alex Paull, Tilynne Vasquez and Bryce Shaffer shared most inspirational wrestler honors.
Vasquez made history at the state tournament, as her fourth-place finish at 103 was the highest finish in Montana by a girl at the state tournament.
Jaden MacNeil, the state runner-up at 132, was one of three recepients of the most improved wrestler award.
All awards were voted on by Flathead team members.
In addition to the presentation of awards, Flathead also honored its 24 all-conference, 15 all-state and 11 academic all-state selections at its banquet.
Flathead Team Awards
Voted on by team members
Outstanding wrestler — Payton Hume, Tucker Nadeau.
Most inspirational wrestler — Alex Paull, Tilynne Vasquez, Bryce Shaffer.
Most exciting wrestler — Michael Lee, Kenyon Fretwell.
Most improved wrestler — Jaden MacNeil, Dominic Battello, AJ Ekanger.
Outstanding freshman wrestler — Zaybin Stewart.
Most dedicated wrestler — Hunter Wellcome.
Oustanding JV wrestler — Joseph Battello.
Letter Winners
One letter
CJ Morris, freshman; Jack Paul, freshman; Levi Stout, freshman; Zaybin Stewart, freshman; Brayden Boyle, freshman; Caden Deacon, freshman; Gage Winter, freshman; Jonathan Holcomb, freshman; Trin Collins, sophomore; AJ Ekanger, sophomore; Garrett Cormier, junior; Sebastian Koch, junior.
Two letters
Brendan Barnes, sophomore; Tilynne Vasquez, sophomore; Damian Naldrett, sophomore; Jonah Raish, sophomore; Derrek Knoll, sophomore; Tanner Russell, sophomore; Garrett Rieke, sophomore; Paxton Boyce, sophomore; Aydan Prieto, sophomore.
Three letters
Finn Sullivan, junior; Ross Calhoon, junior; Dallas Moore, senior; Dominic Battello, junior; Braden Comer, junior; Jaden MacNeil, junior; Hunter Reichert, junior; Bo Meyer, junior; Colby Martin, junior.
Four letters
Taylor Morton, senior; Bryce Shaffer, senior; Cody Moats, senior; Kenyon Fretwell, senior; Joseph Battello, senior; Payton Hume, senior; Tucker Nadeau, senior; Hunter Wellcome, senior; Michael Lee, senior; Alex Paull, senior; Trae Vasquez, senior.
All-conference selections
103 pounds
Brendan Barnes, sophomore; Tilynne Vasquez, sophomore.
113 pounds
Bryce Shaffer, senior; Damian Naldrett, sophomore.
120 pounds
Dominic Battello, junior; Cody Moats, senior.
126 pounds
Braden Comer, junior; Hunter Reichert, junior.
132 pounds
Jaden MacNeil, junior; AJ Ekanger, sophomore.
138 pounds
Bo Meyer, junior.
145 pounds
Tanner Russell, sophomore.
152 pounds
Kenyon Fretwell, senior; Joseph Battello, senior.
160 pounds
Garrett Rieke, sophomore; Paxton Boyce, sophomore.
170 pounds
Payton Hume, senior; Colby Martin, junior.
182 pounds
Tucker Nadeau, senior; Taylor Morton, senior.
205 pounds
Hunter Wellcome, senior; Ross Calhoon, junior.
285 pounds
Michael Lee, senior; Alex Paull, senior.
All-state selections
103 pounds
Brendan Barnes, sophomore; Tilynne Vasquez, sophomore.
113 pounds
Bryce Shaffer, senior.
120 pounds
Dominic Battello, junior.
132 pounds
Jaden MacNeil, junior; AJ Ekanger, junior.
145 pounds
Tanner Russell, sophomore.
152 pounds
Kenyon Fretwell, senior.
160 pounds
Garrett Rieke, sophomore.
170 pounds
Payton Hume, senior; Colby Martin, junior.
182 pounds
Tucker Nadeau, senior.
205 pounds
Hunter Wellcome, senior.
285 pounds
Michael Lee, senior; Alex Paull, senior.
State champions
170 pounds
Payton Hume, senior.
182 pounds
Tucker Nadeau, senior.
285 pounds
Michael Lee, senior.
Academic all-state selections
Paxton Boyce, sophomore; Tanner Russell, sophomore; Brendan Barnes, sophomore; Braden Comer, junior; Taylor Morton, senior; Payton Hume, senior; Garrett Cormier, junior; Garrett Rieke, sophomore; Trae Vasquez, senior; Tucker Nadeau, senior; Jayden Russell (manager), grade not available.
Coaches
Jeff Thompson (head coach), Sully Sullivan, Kevin Wilmot, Jeff Anderson, Tyler Wells, Dallas Stuker, Marc Nadeau, Kelly Quinn, Lee Fretwell.