12 wrestlers qualify for state

Bigfork's Little Guy Wrestling Team has 12 wrestlers who have qualified for the state meet on Saturday, March 28, in Thompson Falls.

Last Saturday those same 12 wrestlers competed in Eureka and all of them placed high enough to advance to the final tournament. The team had another four wrestlers qualify for the Eureka meet, but they were unable to attend due to illness.

Beginner 'seven and eight year olds' and novice wrestlers (nine and 10 year olds' had to place in the top four at the tournament to move on and middle division wrestlers, 11 and 12 year olds, had to place in the top eight to advance to the next tournament.

Boyd Rieke, who is undefeated this season, had the best showing from Bigfork as he took home another first place medal in the 110 weight class in the middle division.

Wyatt Mischke placed second in the 70 weight class for beginners. Third place finishers were Bo Meyer in the 55 weight class for beginners, Vinny Quirk in the 110 weight class for the middle division and Colton Oster in the 130 weight class for the middle division.

Garett Rieke (Beg. 65), Colton Woll (Mid. 65), Connor Meyer (Mid. 70) and Hunter Gomel (Jr. 100) all placed fourth in their weight classes and divisions. Also qualifying for state by placing in the top eight in their weight classes from the middle division were Andy Russell, Gus DiPaulo and Tyler Iverson.

"The boys did great, despite many of them being sick, and we are going to be working hard this week in practice to get them ready for the state tournament," said Bigfork Little Guy Wrestling Team Manager Kelly Rieke. "Bigfork has been very competitive this season and the coaches are confident the team will do well at state."