Polson looks to dominate at divisionals

Here's a preview of the Northwestern A Divisional tournament by the Daily Interlake.

WHITEFISH - It's time to step on the mat and mix it up for spots at the Class A state wrestling tournament.

The Northwestern A Divisional gets under way Saturday morning at Whitefish High School. The first matches are set for 11 a.m. with the championship finals slated for 5 p.m.

The Northwestern A includes Polson, Columbia Falls, Libby, Ronan and host Whitefish.

The top four in each weight class advance to the Class A state tournament Feb. 11-12 in Butte.

A coaches' meeting is set for 6:30 tonight to seed the individual wrestlers in each weight class.

The Polson Pirates, ranked No. 6 in the most recent Class A team poll, are the defending divisional champions. They scored 232 points last year, qualified 15 for state and had four individual champions.

The Pirates, with 17 wrestlers entered, are the favorites to claim a second straight trophy.

"Polson is in the driver's seat right now. They have a great lineup. They're very technically sound and well-disciplined. They're definitely the team to beat," said Columbia Falls coach Jesse Schaeffer

"Our workouts are going very well. I think our kids are going to be prepared for (the tournament)," Polson coach Bob Owen said.

"We're still open at two weights, but we have the four extras at other weights (each team can bring four extra wrestlers to divisional), so that should help us," he said.

"I think we have to be a strong contender (to win), just because of the numbers ... Columbia Falls and us," Owen said.

"I don't think our tournament is as competitive as it has been in the past, but there's going to be some great matchups," he added.

"All three of my opening weights, I think they have to be favorites," Owen said.

They are 98-pounder Carlos Quinones (26-8), a freshman, 105-pounder Dylan Moll, a freshman with 24 wins, and sophomore state placer Craig Feistner, also with 24 wins this year, at 112.

Pirates Jacob Young (135), Mike Devlin (152) and Josiah Clairmont (285) should also have shots at being No. 1 seeds going in.

Added to Polson's fortunes are two really good backups at 98 and 105. They are sophomore Lucas Polk at 98 and freshman Taylor Martin at 105.

The MatCats, with the first full divisional lineup in Schaeffer's head coaching career, are feeling confident about their own chances as well.

They return three individual champions from last year - Seth McCall, Sal Baccaro and Justin Whitman - and they have a strong crew behind them to score points in the wrestlebacks.

"For me, this is the first year we're taking a full lineup. We're taking 19 kids. That's going to help out with some points," he said.

"We're feeling pretty good," Schaeffer said of his team.

"We've had some close matches with Libby, with Ronan and with Polson," he said.

"We're excited. We're itching to get back in there and compete. It's going to come down to those wrestlebacks to decide who's going to come out of there (as the team champion)," he said.

"It's going to be pretty scrappy in those wrestlebacks," he said.

Almost every weight class will have some hotly contested matches.

"Ronan has some solid kids - and they are going to mess some things up for people," he said.

The Chiefs have at least "five kids that are very, very solid. And they're going to be ready to roll. Libby has four kids who could walk away with a divisional title and Polson could have a few more divisional champions than other schools.

"I hope they represent themselves and the program to the best of their ability. They've worked hard. They definitely deserve it."

Northwestern A
Divisional

Saturday's Schedule
at Whitefish High School

Top 4 in each weight class advance
10:55 a.m. - National Anthem
11 a.m. - Round One-Round Seven
3:30 p.m. - Round Eight (3rd/4th, 5th/6th).
5 p.m. - Round Nine (Championship Finals).

Prices
All-Session - adults $10, students/seniors over 65 $6.
Championship round - adults $5, students/seniors over 65 $3.
No season passes will be honored for this tournament.