Polson takes second at invitational; Picard, Morigeau win top honors

Each year the Polson Invitational wrestling tournament brings together the very best Western Montana has to offer. With a returning state finalist at virtually every weight class and a field of full of experienced wrestlers, the Polson wrestlers were happy to take home second place, following only Kalispell, who took home top prize.

The Pirates were led by Bryce Picard (189) and Ted Morigeau (160), who both took top honors in their weight class. They were followed by Conlin Benson (130), who took home second prize. Logan Torgison (135) and Billy Johnson (145) each earned fourth place finishes, and in an interesting twist of fate, Brock Picard won third place by beating teammate Jered Champion in the 152 pound division.

"The team wrestled well," said head coach Bob Owen. "It's a difficult tournament, with a ton of tough matches, but our guys looked good and I am happy with where we are right now."

Bryce Picard, the defending champion in the 189 pound class was able to defend his title, winning a very hard fought match, 7-5, against Kalispell's Levi Holt, also considered one of the top wrestlers in the state.

"Picard looked great," said Owen. "He is one of the top wrestlers at his weight class in the state, no doubt."

Morigeau, who finished as runner-up at state last year, had a much easier time winning his weight class and showed that he is primed for another run at state. Tossing his opponents around like rag dolls, Morigeau pinned every wrestler he faced, including David Lau of Kalispell in the championship match, in only 48 seconds.

"Ted looked very good," said Owen. "I don't think he was on the mat for three minutes the whole tournament he was pinning guys so fast."

Conlin Benson, who took third place in state last year, just missed first prize, dropping a very hard fought match against Kalispell's Austin Zapata, 3-4. Logan Torgison, another standout who finished runner-up at state last year, won fourth prize in the 135 pound division. Billy Johnson, a fifth place finisher at state last year, took fourth place at 145 pounds.

In the most interesting match of the night for Polson fans, Brock Picard, the freshmen brother of Bryce Picard, narrowly defeated teammate Jered Champion, 9-4, in the 152 pound division.

"Brock Picard is very impressive for a freshmen," said Owen. "He has a maturity that you just don't see with guys that young. He might be the best freshmen I have ever seen."

Owen said that he is happy with how hard the team has been working and that he considers his team one of the top three in the state, and hopes to improve on last year's fourth place finish at state.

The only thing that he thought might hold his team back was a lack of wrestlers to fill the lower weight classes.

"We're missing a few guys in the lower classes," he said. "It's going to be difficult to make up those points, but I am confident in our ability to overcome that and be successful."

The Pirates will host Whitefish tonight at home, starting at 6:30.