Flathead, West tied for third at LeProwse Invitational

BOZEMAN — Flathead is tied with Billings West for third place after first-day action Friday at the Tom LeProwse Invitational wrestling tournament.

Bozeman leads with a 123 total.

Billings Senior is next with a 100 1/2 score.

Flathead and West have 92 1/2 totals.

“We didn’t get many wrestlers seeded so we had to scratch and claw for every win in the first couple of rounds,” Flathead coach Jeff Thompson said.

“I was really impressed with our Killer Bs today. Our No. 2s (Killer Bs) scored 38 points, which are not included in our team score. Those points will be big at the state tournament in five weeks.”

Thompson said Brendan Barnes (126 pounds) “had a great day on the mats with two very close wins to get himself into the semifinals. Also, Fin Nadeau (132) beat Jaden James, a defending state finalist from Bozeman, to make the semifinals. And at the same weight, Dominic Battello punched his way to a place.”

Thompson said Jaden MacNeil used his speed and technique to get in the semifinals at 138 while Tanner Russell pinned his way into the semifinals and will have two-time state champion Jace Rhodes in that round at 170.

“Sea-Bass Koch made a statement today at 205 getting into the top eight,” Thompson added.

“Freshman heavyweight Mike Downing wrestled very solid and made himself at placer.”

Tournament action resumes today at 9 a.m.

Tom LeProwse Invitational

At Bozeman

Friday

Team Totals

Bozeman 123, Billings Senior 100 ½, Billings West 92 ½, Flathead 92 ½, Great Falls High 92, Butte 87, Helena Capital 85, Missoula Big Sky/Loyola, Billings Skyview 78 ½, Huntley Project 75 ½, Powell 63, Colstrip 62, Missoula Sentinel 58, Great Falls C.M. Russell 55 ½, Polson 46 1/1, Helena High 43 ½, Laurel 43 ½, Whitehall 41, Hardin 39, Belgrade 36, Shepard 32, Forsyth 30, Bozeman JV 27 ½, Cody 25, Livingston 24, Dillon/Twin Bridges 23 ½, Missoula Hellgate 19 ½, Billings Central 17.