Flathead looking for nice round number (20) at seeding tourney
A year ago, on the way to their second straight State AA title, the Flathead Brave Brawlers qualified 24 wrestlers at the Western AA Divisional.
That’s probably not going to happen this weekend in Butte, where this year’s divisional seeding tournament begins Friday at 2 p.m.
I think our goal, looking at our depth, and the strength of the Western AA,” Flathead head coach Jeff Thompson began. “If we can get 20 in, that would be a great goal.”
Make no mistake, the Brave Brawlers will still be a favorite going to state; they’ve been unbeaten in tournaments and duals for the better part of three seasons. A dozen of them head into Butte with 20 or more victories — including twins Anders and Gunnar Thompson at 170 pounds.
Meanwhile eight Flathead wrestlers — and two from Glacier — will be wrestling their first AA matches of the season this weekend. This list includes David Naldret, who was third at state last year, but is in the same weight class with Will Barnes this season.
“He probably won’t get seeded, but we like his odds,” Thompson said. “That’s a deep weight for us, and we expect great things from both those wrestlers.”
In fact Coltun Kuka, Tynan Krause (160), Gannon Wisher 132) and Xander Winter (182) all qualified for state a year ago, but haven’t had any AA matches this season. In all 18 state qualifiers are back from last year’s championship squad, not including Utah transfer Koda Wieczorek. Eight of them placed.
“We’re a little top-heavy,” Thompson said. “But we have some depth, especially in the upper weights. We’re excited. This team has tapered really well and is itching to get on the mat and perform.
“No pressure, no stress, we’re just going to get out on the mat and battle.”
While Flathead is sending 24 wrestlers to the Western AA, Glacier is sending 16, including peerless 132-pounder Teegan VAsquez, who is 32-0 in his senior campaign. Junior Kaleb Shine boasts a 25-8 record at 152; he’s ranked second at the weight for AA.
Cole Opre (132) and Kaden Childers (heavyweight) will see their first AA matches of the season for the Pack, which has been thinned by injuries and suspension.
“We have a great opportunity for some of our younger kids to continue their upward trajectory, and get themselves in a place to be at the state tournament,” Wolfpack coach Ross Dankers said. “Wrestlers like Aiden Sweat, Noah Horn and Mark Ahner have been making fantastic gains.”
Aside from the obvious leaders, Vasquez and Shine, Dankers feels Connor Johnson, Seth Doolan, Korbin Baldwin and Colton Vergeront have not just good shots at qualifying for state for a second straight time, but also placing.
The All-Class State wrestling tournament isFeb. 10-11 at First Interstate Arena in Billings.
Flathead lineup
103 — Dalton Naldrett (14-13)
113 — Diesel Thompson (25-9)
120 — Davin Naldrett (5-9); Will Barnes (20-10)
126 — Aiden Downing (26-6); Cory Tappan (11-7)
132 — Gannon Wisher (25-8); Brayton Fitch (6-6)
138 — Dane Lake (24-9); Cayden Wieczorek (12-6)
145 — Logan Stansberry (26-8); Colton Kuka (16-2)
152 — Cade Troupe (22-4); Koda Wieczorek (5-0)
160 — Gabe Lake (28-2); Tynan Krause (16-5)
170 — Anders Thompson (28-0); Gunnar Thompson (22-2)
182 — Noah Poe-Hatten (25-2); Xander Winter (12-8)
205 — Sawyer Troupe (28-3); Conor LeDuc (17-7)
Hwt — Forest Howell (3-0); Austin Schabel (8-8)
Glacier lineup
103 — Aiden Sweat (15-6)
113 — Tyler Jorgenson (9-13)
132 — Teegan Vasquez (32-0); Cole Opre (0-0 vs. AA)
138 — Connon Johnson (8-5); Jaxon Wolff (0-3 vs. AA)
145 — Seth Doolan (6-7); Korbin Baldwin (6-6)
152 — Kaleb Shi8ne (25-8); Nico Coles (2-0)
160 — Mark Ahner (13-15)
170 — Aiden Chamberlain (8-9)
182 — Noah Horn (18-10); Colin Keough (4-7)
Hwt — Colton Vergeront (13-9); Kaeden Childers (0-0 vs. AA)