Polson wrestling gathering strength heading into divisionals

By Trent Makela / Leader Staff

The Polson Pirates topped rival Libby in Northwestern A dual action at home on Thursday, and picked up two more dual wins in Columbia Falls on Saturday.

The Pirates, the fifth-ranked team in last week's coaches poll, picked up two pins in the win against Libby while allowing none against them.

One of the Pirate pins came from senior Logan Torgison, the state's top-ranked wrestler in the Class A 145-pound division. Torgison missed last week's Rocky Mountain Classic tournament with a concussion.

"Logan won all three of his matches [last week]. He's having an unbelievable season," Polson coach Bob Owen said. "He came off the head injury really well to win two by pins and the last one by technical fall."

Polson's other pin in the Libby tournament came from Trae Fouty in the 130-pound class. Fouty managed his pin in just 1:14. Unfortunately, Ty Fouty, who got a major decision against Libby, was injured and sat out both Saturday duals.

"We really need him," Owen said. "He's one of the best on our team."

Ryley Duford won by major decision over his Libby opponent last Thursday.

The Pirates won a total of nine matches by pin in their two duals at the Columbia Falls triangular, handily dispatching Whitefish 67-15 and edging the hometown Wildcats 45-34.

Brock Picard was unbeaten over the three duals in the 160 class for Polson.

"Brock had a major decision over the second best kid in our conference, Steve Gary from Libby," Owen said. "Then he had a pin against Miller, a pretty strong kid from Columbia Falls."

Shawn Medland won all three of his matches for Polson at the 112 level, while Keio Salmonson was also perfect at 125.

"Keio's having a nice season," Owen said. "Shawn's doing a little better all the time. As the season is winding down he's getting a little stronger."

Polson will host Ronan in their final dual of the season on Thursday, followed by the divisional tournament at Ronan on Feb. 2 and state in Billings on Feb. 8/9. Polson's dual against Ronan will take place in the Linderman gym, at 6:30, not at the high school.

"The whole key is getting everyone healthy for next week and divisionals," Owen said. "We're really hoping on the possibility of having another kid in the lineup to shore up our team."