Grapplers gear up for winter season

Hawks, Savage Horsemen mix it up with Eureka Lions Friday

Thompson Falls notched a win against Eureka in the Hawks' first dual of Western B-C competition, but head coach Colby Cline said it could be weeks before his unseasoned athletes fully hit their stride.

The Bluehawk grapplers hit the mat against the Lions Friday and came away with a 39-30 win, benefiting from four forfeits (compared to two for Eureka). Thompson Falls, Eureka and Plains-Hot Springs then faced off in a "mixer," with wrestlers from each squad competing against each other in extra matches.

Savage Horsemen head coach Kenny Marjerrison, leading a pack of nine wrestlers this season, said despite Plains-Hot Springs' limited numbers, he expects strong individual performances from his athletes. The Savage Horsemen won five matches and lost two against wrestlers from Thompson Falls and Eureka. Kenneth Beech led the way for Plains-Hot Springs, pinning Bluehawk Darrick Brawn in 2:41 and Eric Roe of Eureka in 1:14 for a pair of wins.

After taking out Eureka, the Bluehawks struggled in extra competition versus the Savage Horsemen and Lions, managing four wins out of 10 matches.

"We have a lot of inexperienced wrestlers this year," said Cline, noting that half of his senior wrestlers are either new to the sport or didn't compete last season. "We're just especially trying to get these green kids some experience so they can compete later in the year."

Cline, beginning his second year at the helm of the Bluehawks wrestling program, is working with 21 athletes. His coaching experience includes one year assisting Thompson Falls wrestling, and three years as the head coach at Mission.

He said Arlee, featuring strong returning wrestlers and an impressive crop of newcomers, will be the team to beat this season. Leading Thompson Falls will be senior Matt Hojem and 285-pound senior Jason Shaw, predicts Cline. Cline is also hoping Tate Cavill, injured during the football season, will be able to return to the mat for the Bluehawks.

Hojem, who has second- and fourth-place state finishes on his resume, pinned Eureka's Randy Kirkedahl in 3:29 Friday.

Shaw, coming off of a sixth place finish in the state heavyweight division last year, squeaked by Lion Kallan Roose 7-6 in a decision.

Marjerrison, beginning his second year as the Savage Horsemen head coach, said he is targeting "simple stuff that works" with his nine wrestlers. Seniors Wes Goodwin, Austin Thompson and Mike Hines, the team's captains, are in leadership roles, particularly setting an example for Plains-Hot Springs' younger athletes, said Marjerrison.

He said the small team will have difficulty matching up against squads with higher numbers, but he expects his athletes to compete hard individually. Marjerrison said Thompson Falls and Arlee always offer stiff competition for his team.

Noxon's wrestling program grew from four to seven athletes this season, but head coach Kelly Moore said competing as a team remains difficult for the Red Devils.

Moore, beginning his third season as head coach, said his squad is split between experienced and novice wrestlers, and he is targeting strong individual performances from his athletes entering the winter season.

The team is working on conditioning, weightlifting and running, and Moore said he is also putting his wrestlers through an hour-and-a-half of drills.

"I just want them to get exposure to the sport," said Moore, adding that he hopes his athletes "make a commitment and stick with it."

Moore said he is not concerned with team scores, due to the Red Devil's limited numbers, but he sees potential in individuals on the team.

Justin Russell, the squad's lone senior, will wrestle at 119 pounds, and Moore said Russell could make a run for state this season. Moore also singles out junior Joe Gerstenberger, competing in the 189-pound class; sophomore Caplen Weare; freshman Adam Moore; sophomore Clay Smith, wrestling at 140 pounds; and Danny Kern, a newcomer to the sport.

Noxon traveled to Cascade Friday and Saturday for the first competition of the season, and Moore said his athletes gained valuable experience. He said each wrestler competed in four matches, and each came away with at least one win.

The Red Devils and Bluehawks hit the mats at Superior Friday, Dec. 7, and Saturday, Dec. 8. The Savage Horsemen team will compete at Superior Saturday.