Pirates go 3-0 for the week

Zach Urness

Leader Staff

The Pirates were dominating on the mat last week, going 3-0 with wins over Libby, Eureka and Whitefish to improve to 14-5 in duals for the season.

“I was really happy with how we wrestled all weekend,” said Bob Owen. “Everyone was stepping it up.”

The dual against division power Libby was an important one for the Pirates, as they had lost to them earlier in the year and Libby is one of the conference’s top teams. Led by pins from Ty Fouty (130), Shayne Ludwick (135), and Logan Torgison (140) the Pirates were able to achieve redemption over the Loggers, winning 43-36.

Keio Salmonson (119) won a decision 3-2 as did Trae Fouty (125) who won a major decision, 10-0. Jered Champion (152) won in a close decision, 9-8. In the match of the night, top-ranked Ted Morigeau schooled former state runner-up and second ranked grappler in the 160-pound class, Steve Bertelson, 9-2.

“Ted gave him a good thumpin’,” said Owen. “Ted is the number one guy and he {Bertelson} is the number two, so to see Ted beat him like that was great.”

“The match against Libby was our best one of the year,” Owen continued. “It was nice, we worked hard and it paid off on this night.”

Over the weekend the Pirates went on the road for a double-dual against Eureka and Whitefish. Both teams were under-staffed compared to the Pirates, and Polson took care of business, beating Eureka, 54-30 and taking down Whitefish, 54-15.

“Both teams were pretty short-handed,” commented Owen.

Against Eureka the Pirates won six of the nine contested matches via pin and went on to win by a final score of 54-30. Keio Salmonson (119), Trae Fouty (125), Ty Fouty (130), Shayne Ludwick (135), Logan Torgison (140), and Pat Dellwo (160) all won by pinning their opponent. Polson also won three matches by forfeit.

The Pirates had an easier time against Whitefish, earning the win 54-15. Ty Fouty (130) and Skylar Knutson (189) won by pins to lead the team. Logan Torgison won in the most hotly contested match of the night over Whitefish’s Matt Starr in two overtimes, 2-1.

“Logan won a great match-up against Starr,” added Owen.

Trae Fouty also won a decision 7-2 as did Shayne Ludwick, 7-0. Polson won six matches by forfeit.

One of the most interesting stories to come out of last week’s duals was the emergence of freshmen Ty Fouty, who registered a fall in his first three varsity matches.

“We had a couple of guys out, Conlin Benson and Billy Johnson, with injuries,” said Owen. “So we bumped up some of the JV guys. That was a pretty amazing performance from Ty, getting three pins in his first varsity action. He has a good chance to be one of the four guys to make the divisional team.”

Ronan will take on rival Ronan on Friday, Jan. 26 at the Ronan Event Center at 6:30. They will head to Columbia Falls on Feb. 3 for the Northwest A divisional tournament.