Flathead wrestlers have strong first day in Boise

by Daily Inter Lake
| January 7, 2022 11:51 PM

BOISE —The Flathead Brave Brawlers have seven wrestlers in quarterfinals and sit in 2nd place after Friday, the first day of the Rollie Lane Tournament in Boise.

Meridian (Idaho) leads and Crook County (Oregon) is in third.

In the quarterfinals for Flathead are Aiden Downing (106 pounds), Asher Kemppainen (132), Fin Nadeau (145), Gabe Lake (152), Anders Thompson (160), Noah Poe-Hatten (170) and Chase Youso (182).

“We are very happy with how our team stepped up to the competition today,” Flathead coach Jeff Thompson said. “We wanted to get out and compete against some of the toughest wrestlers and programs from the western United States and we found that today. Tomorrow is going to be an absolute bloodbath where hopefully we end up on top for most of the matches. Our boys are excited and ready for the challenge.”

Braves Diesel Thompson and Cade Troupe are still alive in the consolation rounds.

The Flathead Bravettes lead a field of 50 teams at Rollie Lane, with six wrestlers in contention for titles.

Hania Halverson, Lily McMahon, Emma Gambino, McKenna McCarthy, Lucy Libby, and Alliyah Stevens have all advanced to quarterfinal rounds.

This was a big step forward for our girls,” Thompson said. “They are getting a lot of 6-minute tough matches, win or lose, that are blowing out their lungs. These kind of matches are what our girls need to be in full throttle come state.”