Shorthanded MatCats take third at Polson Invite

The Columbia Falls wrestling team took third at the Polson Invitational Saturday. The MatCats were led by Brandon Thomas, who took first at 126. Other notable performances included Austin Nelson, 2nd, at 113, Kaleb Gravelin, 3rd at 138, Troy Meyer, 4th at 160, Colton McPhee, 2nd at 170 and Jake Freeman, 2nd at 205.

The Cats were just four points out of second place behind Polson. Missoula Sentinel won the event.

Coach Jessie Schaeffer noted four of the top wrestlers at the event are all young — Thomas and Nelson are sophomores and McPhee and Freeman are freshmen. The team also had several wrestlers out due to injuries.

Even being shorthanded, the Cats did an admirable job.

“They competed well,” Schaeffer said. He noted the success of young wrestlers bodes well for the program.

“It’s a great group of guys with a great work ethic,” he said.

The team travels to Dillon Thursday where they’ll face the Beavers and Sidney, then it’s off to the Mining City Duals in Butte over the weekend.