Nadeau, Windauer awarded Blewett mat scholarships

Flathead’s Tucker Nadeau and Columbia Falls’ Ben Windauer earned more than a trophy when they won individual state wrestling titles in February.

Both were awarded $1,000 scholarships from Hoyt & Blewett PLLC in Great Falls for their “combined qualities of wrestling and academic achievement,” according to a press release from the firm.

Nadeau, a three-time state placer, was undefeated (48-0) on the road to a state championship at 182 pounds as a senior. He also led Flathead to a second consecutive team title.

Nadeau is also a standout scholar. He maintained a 4.0 GPA, scored a near-perfect 35 on the ACT and is a National Merit Scholar. He will continue his wrestling career at West Virginia, where he will enter the World Languages Program and study Spanish and Arabic.

Windauer, also a three-time state placer, won state as a senior in Class A at 170 pounds.

A 4.0 student, he will attend Montana Tech and major in engineering.

Nathan Weber of Forsyth was the recipient of the Class B/C scholarship.

Flathead’s Russell named wrestling Manager of the Year

Flathead High School’s Jayden Russell was named the 2018 Manager of the Year by Wrestling USA Magazine.

Russell, whose younger brother, Tanner, wrestles for Flathead, has been Flathead’s manager for the past three years. She is also a two-time all-state softball player who maintains a 3.7 GPA.

She plans to attend North Idaho College, where she will continue her wrestling manager duties, beginning this fall.

Russell contributed to the program by logging stats, filming matches, ordering meals, preparing the team for travel and helping with other tasks within the Flathead wrestling organization, according to head coach Jeff Thompson.

“Jayden is a young lady with significant inner direction and personal strength,” Thompson said.

“She sets very high goals and has the resolve to make certain that these goals are attained. She is friendly, likable and has been an outstanding role model for our wrestling program.”