Wolfpack whips Libby, Hellgate
Glacier sophomore Jackson Barber attempts to pin Libby senior Devin Williams during the 135 weight class match on Thursday night at Glacier. Barber ran out of time out for the first period, but was later successful at pinning Williams in the second period.
Libby junior Robin Kyes wrestles Glacier senior Paul Iavicoli in the 152 weight class on Thursday evening at Glacier. Kyes won the match up 6 to 0.
A good showing.
The Glacier Wolfpack sent its four seniors out on a double-winning note, downing Northwestern A Libby 62-9 and Western AA Hellgate 80-6 on senior night Thursday at Glacier High School.
"That was probably one of the best matches that we've had," Glacier coach Mark Fischer said of the Hellgate dual.
The Glacier seniors (Boyce Ballard, Paul Iavicoli, Brayden Roberts and Joel Horn) are the first four-year wrestlers at Glacier.
"All these kids just respect them a ton and we are going to miss these guys. I'm really proud of those four seniors - and Regan Bennett. She's one of the best managers we've had," the coach added.
The Wolfpack picked up seven pins, five forfeits and one injury default against Hellgate. The only negative was a forfeit at 98 pounds.
The Wolfpack got five pins, three forfeits and an injury default in the win over Libby.
Libby was without 140-pound Kyle Leir, but got wins from Mitch Haugen (125), Robin Kyes (152) and Dylan Berget (160).
"They did what they needed to do (against Libby). We worked them hard this week and their legs are tired. I'm proud of these kids for going after (the Loggers) the way they did.
"But Hellgate was definitely a better match for us," Fischer said.
"They got under that light and it was just added intensity," he said.
"Right now, a lot of teams are probably feeling the doldrums a little bit. Not these kids, they're coming and they are working out in the morning. They have a real positive attitude. I really believe they have a goal in mind as to where they want to be at the end of the season and they think they are going to get there," Fischer said.
The Loggers came away with a little something too - in addition to the three wins.
"It's good for us to see a good team like that before divisional," said Libby co-head coach Kelly Morford.
"We knew they were going to be good ... and they were. All of our guys knew that no matter who they wrestled, they were going to have a tough match.
"(The Wolfpack wrestlers) are just as tough, or tougher, than anybody we will see at divisional. It's good for our last action, it gives us a bonus to end the season on and let's us get back to work," he added.
"Dylan, Robin and Mitch, I thought they all wrestled really solid. They've been doing that all year, so it was good to see them come out and get those wins. I was proud of the way those guys came out and wrestled their style and got those wins," Morford said.
Berget won a 5-2 decision over Jake Tudahl, Robin Kyes won a 6-0 decision over Paul Iavicoli and Haugen defeated Zach Barber, 6-0.
The Loggers are finished now until the Northwestern A Divisional Feb.5 at Whitefish.
The Wolfpack heads to Helena on Saturday to take on Helena High and Capital at 5 and 7 p.m.
"Hopefully we take that same intensity into the Helena schools because we are going to need it. Helena has a dynamite team this year and we are going to have to come with that kind of firepower to win," Fischer said.
Glacier 62, Libby 9
98: Double forfeit; 105: Christian Knopp, G, p. Isaac King, 1:52; 112: Kaleb Mitchell, G, won by forfeit; 119: Alec Mitchell, G, p. Aaron Seefeldt, 5:58; 125: Mitch Haugen, L, dec. Zach Barber, 6-0; 130: Lucas Mantel,G, tech fall Skylar Higareda, 17-2; 135: Jackson Barber, G, p. Devin Williams, 2:51; 140: Cooper Sipe, G, won by injury default; 145: Brayden Roberts, G, p. Josh Bowers, 1:33; 152: Robin Kyes, L, dec. Paul Iavocoli, 6-0; 160: Dylan Berget, L, dec. Jake Tudahl, 5-2; 171: Dawson Day, G, dec. Austin Bailey, 9-2; 189: Boyce Ballard, G, p. Logan Newbauer, 1:23; 215: Mac Sutherland, G, won by forfeit; 285: Joel Horn, G, won by forfeit.
Glacier 80, Hellgate 6
98: Kale Kelley, H, won by forfeit; 105: Christian Knopp, G, won by forfeit; 112: Kaleb Mitchell, p. Caden Lockhart, 1:14; 119; Alec Mitchell, G, won by forfeit; 125: Zach Barber, G, won by forfeit; 130: Lucas Mantel, G, won by forfeit; 135: Jackson Barber, G, p. Ethan Cheff, 2:24; 140: Cooper Sipe, G, p. Tyrone Baird, 1:17; 145: Brayden Roberts, G, p. Sam Whisonant, 2:39; 152: Shane St. Onge, G, p. Erik Dewing, 2:35; 160: Jake Tudahl, G, won by injury default; 171: Dawson Day, G, p. Zach Bauer, 1:07; 189: Boyce Ballard, G, won by forfeit; 215: Mac Sutherland, G, dec. Ben Mead, 7-3; 285: Joel Horn, G, p. Jacob Moderie, 1:28.