Bluehawks prepare themselves for home crowd

THOMPSON FALLS – The Bluehawk wrestling team traveled to Ronan on Friday and Saturday competing in a series of matches.

With seven kids in the lineup, the team had a tough time in the team part of the competition but did well on an individual basis.

“We had a couple guys have some big wins over divisional rivals,” Head Coach Ian Taylor said.

Kyle Milner, 165 pounds, beat a Polson wrestler he lost to earlier in the season, showing his improvement thus far.

“It kind of shows he’s coming along this year,” Coach Taylor said.

Colton Bray, 145 pounds, also saw success.

The tournament did not have a bracket and aimed at getting more mat time.

On Saturday the Bluehawks competed in a mixer and each wrestler got two to three matches.

On Friday Thompson Falls will host their triangular. Florence and Drummond will be participating along with the Bluehawks.

However, the big day for wrestling lands on Saturday during the Ted Kato Invitational.

“We have 11 teams scheduled to be there,” Coach Taylor said.

The hope is for all the kids to do well and with the support of the home crowd; Coach Taylor believes the kids will get riled up.

“It’s a lot easier when we get to wrestle in front of the home crowd in front of parents, friends and family,” Coach Taylor said. “It’s our first chance to be home and I’m looking forward to seeing all the kids wrestle.”

There should be multiple opportunities to place throughout the tournament, which runs from 9:30 a.m. to approximately 5:30 p.m.

Coach Taylor believes Mission and Plains will most likely be the toughest match-ups at the tournament – a challenge Thompson Falls is willing to undertake.