Mat Cats struggle at Rocky Mountain Invitational, finish 20th

It was a rough weekend for the Columbia Falls wrestling team.

At the Rocky Mountain Classic in Missoula, the Mat Cats finished 20th out of 22 teams from around Montana and Washington, netting only 52 points.

There were a few bright spots, however, as two Cats were able to place despite the stiff competition.

For the Cats, Cory Pete placed fifth in the 130-pound class after getting a decision against Jeremy Savage of Central Valley (Spokane) 6-3.

Michael Hader placed fourth after losing a decision to Great Falls' Bobby Vinson 5-1, in the 140-pound class.

In the 98-pound class, Clayton Patterson was pinned in the opening round by Jake Love of Sentinel before netting several pins in the consolation bracket.

Kolton King was pinned in the second round by Frenchtown's Josh Stedman before advancing with a pin in the consolation bracket in the 105-pound class.

Nolan Emerson was pinned by Nash Hallfrisch of C.M. Russell in the second round of the 112-pound class, while Cody Kolodejchuk lost lost to Conlin Benson of Polson 2-0 in the 119-pound class.

Jesse McCafferty pinned Hellgate's D.J. St. John before losing in the third round of the 125-pound class.

Derek Pepperling was pinned by University High School's Ryan Williams in the 135-pound class, while Michael Clark was pinned by D.J. Darnell of Clarkston in the second round of the 145-pound class.

Joe LeCount was defeated in the 152-pound class, while Matt Sauter lost to Central Valley's Nick Severns in the 171-pound class.

Reid Lally was pinned by Jake Graham in the 189-pound class and Jesse Woodward was pinned by Superior's Adam Taron in the 215-pound class.

Dan Peterson was pinned by University's Dono Totten in the 275-pound class.