Wrestlers continue to shine on the mat

PLAINS – The Plains/Hot Springs wrestlers have continued to see success as they continue further in the season.

This weekend in Ronan the team had a good dual against Frenchtown – a dual they could have won had they had a higher number of wrestlers. The team lost to Frenchtown by two points.

“It was well within our reach. The kids wrestled really well,” Head Coach Kenny Marjerrison said.

Their next dual on Saturday night was against Glacier and the team took all wins other than matches they had to forfeit because of numbers.

“In matches we actually wrestled we beat them head to head,” Coach Marjerrison said.

The team wrestled well both days but Friday was the highlight of the weekend. The wrestlers went 21 for 7 for all of their matches – an impressive feat for such a young group.

Coach Marjerrison said all the kids wrestled really well.

Bryce Henning had a break out on Saturday, winning all three of his matches. He was credited for a great improvement throughout the season thus far.

Dustin Henning, James DeTienne, Russell Kujala, Jake Lyle and Logan Goodwin were also credited for their hard work and good matches.

Goodwin went against the number two-ranked wrestler in the state, pinning him in the third round. Not only did he pin his opponent but Goodwin wrestled a higher weight class, something that can be very challenging.

“It’s always good to see them be successful moving up a weight because there’s a huge difference between those classes. The kids get bigger and stronger,” Coach Marjerrison said.

He added that it shows the kids are doing exceptionally well. It also shows the kids have good technique and the extra strength to be competitive.

On Saturday the wrestlers will move on to the Ted Kato Invitational in Thompson Falls. According to Marjerrison, the tournament has increased in quality the last few years. The invitational will provide the team with the opportunity to wrestle against some kids they have yet to compete against.

Although the team has watched everyone in the division, there are a few matches they have not had head to head – something Coach Marjerrison does not like.

“If we have a tough kid from Florence I want to wrestle that kid as many times as possible before the divisional tournament,” he said.

This ensures there are no surprises further down the road. The team has a few kids from both Florence and Drummond they would like to compete against.

With sickness spreading through Plains High School, the hope is all the athletes will remain healthy before the tournament.

“If we can stay healthy, we’ll do okay,” Coach Marjerrison said.

As of now no one is sick and if it stays that way, he expects the team to finish in the top four or five teams.