Pirate duo claims state titles, young team makes strides
Polson sophomore Brock Picard absorbs an illegal throw in the second period of his championship match against Havre's Phillip Sutherland last Saturday. Picard was knocked out by the blow, but awoke to win the match 7-3. Photo by Casey Riffe/Billings Gazette
By Trent Makela / Leader Staff
Polson wrestling's future met with it's past last Saturday, with senior Logan Torgison repeating as state champion and sophomore Brock Picard beginning a potential three-peat at the All Class State Wrestling Tournament in Billings.
Torgison wrapped up a spectacular career with a 4-3 decision over Hamilton's Alex Martin in the 145-pound final round.
The win gave Torgison a 33-1 record on the season, with his single loss coming from Washington's elite state champion at the weight. He picked up his fourth district title last weekend before grabbing his second state crown in Billings.
"We fully expected Logan to win it all again this year - he's been that dominant all year," Polson coach Bob Owen said. "If you do as much work and stay as dedicated as Logan is, great things are going to happen to you."
Picard literally came back from a knockout blow to win the championship with a 7-3 decision against Havre's Phillip Sutherland.
An illegal throw from Sutherland sent Picard on his head, causing him to briefly lose consciousness in the second round.
Amazingly, Picard woke up and gathered himself before capturing his first state title at 160 pounds.
"Brock did it the hard way this year," Owen said. "He had to beat a state champion from Anaconda in the semifinals and a kid from Havre in the finals. He wants to be a college wrestler someday and he works his tail off."
Polson's team of 14 state-qualified wrestlers was widdled to 12 by sickness and ineligibility before last Thursday.
The remaining squad managed to finish 13th in the team standings.
"Overall as a team we were a little disappointed. We didn't achieve what we should have," Owen said. "We had four wrestlers within one match of placing. They all wrestled hard, but made some mistakes that cost them matches to get into placing."
Trae (135) and Ty (140) Fouty, Jacob Young (119) and Sheldon Fisher (152) all fell a match short of placing for the Pirates.
"For a group of young kids I'd say we made tremendous progress over the year," Owen said.