Matcats cap Mining City Duals with win over Butte

By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News

Columbia Falls had rough going in the first three outings in the Mining City Duals on the wrestling mats in Butte last weekend, but finished on a high note.

Polson doubled the Matcats in the tourney opener on Friday, 48-24. Helena Capital earned a 51-36 win over CFHS later in the day. To cap Friday action, the Matcats lost to powerful Billings Skyview, 75-10.

In the consolation bracket Saturday morning, CFHS to Sidney, 58-21. But the Matcats came from behind to win their finale, edging Butte, 45-39.

With just two matches to go, CFHS trailed Butte by three points. Michael Hader gave the Matcats a 42-39 lead by pinning Jay Hubber in 3:53 in the 145-pound match. With the dual on the line, Joe Gross' first varsity win — at 152 — could not have come at a better time. Gross won a 7-3 decision over Todd Mulcahy and the Matcats took home a six-point win.

"The pressure was on and he put together a six-minute match," Matcats coach Jessie Schaeffer said of Gross. "It's exciting to see that form."

Schaeffer said that in the match just before Hader "got after it and got the job done."

Another key win was by Bridger Beach. Schaeffer "bumped him up a weight" to 171, and Beach pinned Jacob Hobbs in 30 seconds. Cody Kolodejchuk helped keep the Matcats in position to win by pinning Marcus McCaughey in 1:11 at 135. Earlier in the dual, Kelly Houle pinned Zack Gleason in 1:06 at 189. Kodie Kenfield (215), Nathan Woods (285) and Sal Barraco (98) got forfeit wins.

In the tourney opener against Polson, Clayton Patterson and Kenfield earns wins — both by first-period falls. Patterson pinned Randy Kelly in 1:25 at 119 pounds, and Kenfield stuck Skylar Knudson in 1:18. Ryan Watkins (105) and Houle took forfeit wins.

"We didn't show up to wrestle right off the get-go," Schaeffer said of the loss to Polson. "We didn't get a good warm-up. We didn't go out there and give our best performance and it carried over. We kind of struggled all the way through."

Patterson, Houle, Kolodejchuk, Hader and Beach all won with pins in the dual against Helena Capital later Friday. Patterson stuck Hunter Bossler to the mat just 11 seconds into the second period. Houle pinned Anthony Hogan only 10 seconds into the second. Kolodejchuk won by fall over Simon Asay in 1:52. Beach pinned Levi Peasley in 1:38. At 130, Jarrett Smith won by forfeit.

In the most competitive match of the dual, Kenfield was decisioned by Abe Smith, 3-2.

Against Skyview, Hader won an 11-0 major decision over Tyler Elm, and Houle pinned Carson Hilliard in 53 seconds.

On Saturday, Sidney posted a 58-21 win over the Matcats. Kenfield came out on top in a very close match, earning a 5-3 decision over Bryce Vigoren. Kenfield was pinned by Vigoren last year.

"He stayed solid and did a nice job for himself," Schaeffer said of Kenfield.

Patterson and Woods picked up forfeit wins. CFHS's other points came on a double forfeit.

"I hope the kids know they're not where they want to be," Schaeffer said, assessing the overall weekend. "Mentally they just weren't ready to go."

Schaeffer and his assistants should take about 24 wrestlers to the Buzz Lacey Memorial Tournament on Saturday in Eureka.

"They have to get some more mat time. That's the key thing for this team," the coach said.

Schaeffer said the Matcats should fill 14 of the 15 weight classes — open only at 125 pounds.

CFHS has a conference dual next Tuesday at Whitefish.

"The kids they (the Bulldogs) have in there are going to scrap with us," Schaeffer said. "The matches we wrestle should be fun."

The Matcats have a Thursday dual at Polson.