30th annual wrestling tourney at Polson Sat.

Craig Moore

Leader Staff

POLSON- It's 'go' time.

"We got five practices in last week," said Polson head wrestling coach Bob Owen.

Owen and the rest of the Pirates will now host 12 teams in the 30th annual Polson Invitational tournament Saturday in the Polson Middle School gym.

The 12 teams that will be competing Saturday are Polson, Mission, Thompson Falls, Superior, Frenchtown, Hamilton, Corvallis, Missoula Sentinel, Eureka, Whitefish, Columbia Fall and Kalispell.

"It's a great opener," said Owen.

The tourney started in 1975 and had eight teams. Owen wanted to start the tournament because at the time there was nothing like it for area wrestlers. Now the tourney has grown to host 12 teams.

Owen smiled as he remembered the first tournament that was basically he and his wife trying to run the tournament. Now Owen has help from assistant coaches, athletic director Scott Wilson and alumni.

"It's pretty much the same teams. We have expanded along the way. But we figure 12 teams would be the max we could have and get it all done in one day," said Owen.

The wrestlers are seeded based on state tourney records and divisionals placements.

"It's going to be difficult for us to win it," said Owen.

Kalispell won the AA state team title last year and Columbia Falls always has strong wrestlers.

"The teams that are coming in here have really good guys," said Owen.

Polson has won their Invitational about 10 times and they expect to win it every year.

The only way for other schools to get in the tourney is for another team to drop out.

Ticket prices are $5 for students and $6 for adults. The double elimination tournament starts at 9:30 a.m. At 5 p.m. there will be a short break before the consolation matches will start. At 7:15 p.m. the championship matches begin.

"We have the day down to a science," said Owen.

After this weekend's action the Pirates will have one day of practice before heading to Libby next Tuesday night.

"I don't like Tuesday matches, but there is nothing you can do," said Owen.