Two wrestlers take first, second over weekend

Summer Crosby

The Superior Bobcat Wrestlers traveled up to Mission for the Mission Tourney on Saturday, January 2nd, for their first meet of the New Year.

“Coming off of Christmas break, it was one of those tournaments that we used to put us back into the groove of things,” Coach Charlie Crabb said.

The team had two wrestlers place. Mason Chatterley claimed first place in the 125 pound weight class. He beat wrestler Steven Walk from Polson, winning by a pin and outscored Logan Lefler from Arlee winning 8 to 7 decision. He pinned opponent Scotty Gilleard from Mission. Garrett Stephens managed to claim second place in his weight class at 135 pounds. He won 11 to 0 against his opponent, Wyatt Deering, from Frenchtown and pinned Chris Beech from Plains. He ended up finding himself pinned when he lost to Tanner Gason of Thompson Falls.

Although McKenzie Crabb didn’t place he pinned opponent Gavin Fox, from Noxon, for a win and outscored Blake Kormarix 11-0, from Darby.

Crabb said that the next couple of weeks will present the Superior wrestles with some difficult tournaments. He said that in practice their focusing on getting prepared for them. They’ll be facing off against several teams over the upcoming weekend when they wrestle in the Ronan Duels on January 8 and 9 in Ronan. The following weekend, January 15 and 16, they’ll head to Missoula for the RMC Tourney and then on January 19, they’ll face off against opponents from Florence and Drummond at Deer Lodge.

“These next couple of matches over the next couple of weeks will be a test for us and show us how well we’re doing and how well we’re progressing along,” he said.

With seven meets left until divisionals, Crabb said that he feels the wrestlers are doing well. He said that for the most part the wrestlers are where they need to be and that they just keep focusing on improvement to become better.

“We’re right where we need to be as far as technique and things,” he said. “We just do what we do and improve upon that.”

Crabb feels that the wrestlers “have a good of chance as anybody” to make it onto state. If the wrestlers continue to work hard and improve, they’ll have a shot. He said that it all depends on what happens at divisionals.

“Divisionals are tricky because you can come against guys you’ve wrestled all year and beat and they end up beating you,” Crabb said.

The Bobcat wrestlers had their last home meet on December 17 and so they’re hoping fans will come out and support them as they wrestle on their opponents mats through the rest of the season.