Noxon wrestlers prepare for busy week ahead

NOXON – The Red Devil wrestling team gained experience both Friday and Saturday in Ronan. The team was down to five kids so they were unable to enter the Dual Meet but the important part was the time on the mat.

On Friday, the participating wrestlers from Noxon got four to five matches, while Saturday each wrestler had two matches. Although the number of matches on Saturday dwindled, the quality increased – an added bonus.

Overall the team went 23-9 on the weekend.

According to Head Coach Ben Ulrick, senior John Onofrey went 6-0, avenging an earlier loss against a state-ranked wrestler.

“He’s been on a pretty good role,” Coach Ulrick said.

As the week progresses, the team will head to Ronan again on Wednesday for the Ronan Quad.

The team also has a mixer scheduled for Friday night and will then move on to the tournament in Thompson Falls.

The Ted Kato Tournament will feature 12 teams in all.

“Ted Kato is not going to bring surprise but a lot of our divisional teams will be there so it will be a preview of divisional,” Coach Ulrick said.

Although it’s not their first encounter of the season, Bigfork is back with a team this year. The last time they had a team was in the late 90s and although young, Noxon is excited to meet with them again.

“We’re big supporters of new guys,” Ulrick said.

Wrestler Chance Sawyer, who was sick this week, is also expected to make a full recovery before the tournament adding yet another wrestler to Noxon’s ranks.

The team continues to improve and Coach Ulrick said the team already has some ideas about how they will stack up at the divisional tournament.

However, that is not their focus. For now the team continues to wrestle, improving as they go.

“I’m not really worried about it with five guys. Whatever is going to happen is going to happen,” Coach Ulrick said.