MatCats learn a few lessons in duals against Loggers

by Casey Dunn
| December 23, 2004 11:00 PM

Hungry Horse News

The Columbia Falls MatCats had a little extra motivation against Libby on Tuesday.

Revenge.

The Cats, who gave up six pins and lost to Libby 46-42 last Thursday (Dec. 16), fought back for a redeeming 44-37 victory at home.

"We were hoping to change a few matches and we did," coach Wes Knutson said. "The kids were looking forward to it."

The No. 7 ranked Cats made an impressive comeback in the dual. After four matches, including three pins, Libby led 23-0.

But a pin by 275-pounder Tommy Church and a major decision by Clayton Patterson (98 pounds) reversed the trend.

After a Libby forfeit at 105, the MatCats rallied for three more victories, pins by Cody Kolodejchuk (112) and Aric Tarr (119) and a major decision by Mike Hader, giving Columbia Falls a 32-23 lead.

No. 10 ranked Libby countered with two wins against Keyvin Walter and Dalvin Averill.

But Bobby Opp (140) and Ryan Buck (145) came through with pins to give Columbia Falls an insurmountable 44-31 lead.

A lightning-quick 10-second pin by Libby's Steve Bentelson against Brighton Hollis was not enough for Libby in the last match of the dual.

In Libby's win on Thursday, it was the Loggers getting the key pins. Libby had six pins.

"You can't give up that many pins and expect to win a dual," Knutson said.

Despite the loss, some younger wrestlers continued to excel for Columbia Falls. Freshmen Patterson, Kolodejchuk and Hader all had pins.

Knutson was impressed by all three. He said Patterson was outweighed by his opponent but still got an important win to start off the match.

Opp (140) and Buck (145) also had pins.

"Bobby Opp has really turned the corner this year for us," Knutson said.

With six matches remaining, the Cats led 36-16. But a stretch of four pins by Libby at 152, 160 189 and 215 and a Columbia Falls forfeit at 171 made the score 46-36 and put victory out of reach for the Cats.

Church's pin at 275 was not enough for the Cats.

Columbia Falls next match is against Polson on Jan. 4 at home.