AA wrestling teams hit mats Saturday

Things are changing in the prep wrestling world — we have new weight classes in Montana — but there are also some constants.

Flathead’s wrestling teams, for example. Glacier’s Kaura Coles. There is plenty that’s steady and often spectacular. 

All four Kalispell programs begin their seasons Saturday with home duals against the Great Falls schools. Great Falls High and Great Falls CMR will take turns trying to snap the 73-dual win streak the Flathead boys have going and of course battle the Glacier boys and girls as well. 

Here’s a look at the local Class AA teams. 

Flathead Brave Brawlers 

The last four seasons for the boys have ended like this: State title, state title, second at state, second again. In February it was Billings West that won the championship; many of those Golden Bears return this season. 

“We have a solid group of guys that are up to go battle with Billings West,” Flathead coach Jeff Thompson said. “Great Falls High is also one of the top returning teams this season and we will see them right out of the gate this Saturday. 

“We learn a lot about our team after we battle Great Falls High.” 

Nine state placers are back for the boys, including seniors Aiden Downing (third last season), Daniel Evert (fourth), Dane Lake (fourth), Lane Chivers (fifth) and Gannon Wisher (fifth in 2023).  

Kellen Downing and Hunter Arriaga, who both placed third at state last season, lead a talented sophomore class that includes state qualifiers Dawson Hamland, Brett Chivers, Collin Weatherell, Liam LeDuc, Logan Downs, Taw Thomas, Coy Miller and Kohen Riley. 

Conor LeDuc placed sixth at state while fellow junior Dayton Naldrett has twice qualified for state; Cory Tappan made it to state last season as well. 

Thompson has high hopes for freshmen Aiden Lake, Caleb Poe-Hatton, Colton Conover and Brody Lau as well as seniors Cliff Nance, Korbin Baldwin, Dennis Ward and Blane Olsen.  

Flathead Bravettes 

The girls’ short program history is filled with trophies: state titles the first two years the sport was sanctioned by the MHSA, in 2021-22; third-place finishes the last two seasons. 

Returning state champion Bella Downing (120) leads a roster of 35 girls; fellow juniors Sam Bennetts, Julia Kay and Kiera Lackey could also do big things, with Lackey having qualified for state and Kay owning a state title from last season in Utah. She’ll wrestle at 130. 

Seniors are Kylie Amundson, Bridget Smith and Brynn Mailman; Amundson and Smith wrestled at state last season.  

The sophomore class is deep and includes four state qualifiers: Kayden Edwards, Aspen Smart, Josie Olszewski and Danica Hennell. 

“This year’s team has some serious athletes that will improve tremendously throughout the season,” Bravettes’ coach Amber Downing said. “Flathead’s goal is to bring home another state trophy.” 

Wolfpack boys 

Glacier finished seventh at state in February, and returns six state qualifiers, three of whom placed. 

The list is topped by senior Niko Coles, who will wrestle at 165 pounds after winning the 152-pound title last season.  

Aiden Sweat, a junior who was fifth at state, is back at 110; senior Mark Ahner, a divisional champion and fourth at state, is back at 190. 

The roster is fortified by state qualifiers Tristan Hall (sophomore, 215), Noah Horn (junior, 285), and Matthew Ahner (sophomore, 175). Jeron Coles, talented younger brother to Niko, could have a big freshman season at either 150 or 157. 

“Then we have a lot of inexperience down low,” coach Ross Dankers said. “A lot of young kids. Seems like one year you have all the light (weight) kids, and the next year you get all the heavies.” 

Wolfpack Girls 

Kaura Coles has wrestled two state tournaments without allowing a point; now the two-time state champion is a junior and coming off a UWW world title won in Jordan in August. She leads a team that has three returning divisional champs and six state qualifiers. 

Like the boys, the Pack — sixth at state last season — lack depth. Senior Brooke Yeadon placed third in February; she’s set to wrestle at 110. Katelyn Sphuler is at 105 — the junior is a divisional champion.  

Junior Abbie McClatchey (100) and sophomores Kylie Shine (125) and Ella Labrum (125) also made state last season.  

“Then there’s a couple new gals that will round out the lineup,” Dankers said. “Not a bad group. 

“We have a fun room where we have a lot of inexperience mixing with a lot of experienced, elite-type kids. It will be fun kind of meshing that group in the room and trying to get the best out of everybody.” 

Weight classes on both sides have changed. The girls still start at 100 but move up in five-pound increments until 155; the last three of 14 classes are 170, 190 and 235. 

For the boys, the classes go 103-110-118-126-132-138-144-150-157-165, then 175, 190, 215 and 285. Gone are 120, 145, 152, 160, 170 and 205. 

The All-Class State Tournament is Feb. 13-15 at MetraPark in Billings.