Lake County Little Guys ready for qualifying tourneys this weekend
Chief Dylan Moran, age seven, gives it his all to pin Pirate Chris Gibson, eight, who looks to his coaches on the sidelines for advice. The two battled at the Polson Invite Saturday.
By Ali Bronsdon / Leader staff
Last Saturday's Little Guy Wrestling jamboree at Polson Middle School was the final opportunity for young wrestlers to test their skills in competition before the qualifying tournaments begin this weekend.
The gym was packed with spectators and competitors from grades 1-8.
While the jamboree was an un-scored event, all future tournaments starting with this weekend's Unit Three Tournament at St. Ignatius High School will be qualifiers.
There, Polson will compete against wrestlers from Ronan, Arlee, Frenchtown and St. Ignatius.
The top four beginner and novice group wrestlers as well as the top eight middle and all junior group wrestlers advance to the Inter-Valley Tournament the following week in Ronan.
The league's final tournament is the Western Montana Championships, held at Sentinel High School in Missoula March 21.
"We have some kids that I think are going to do very well," said Bob Owen, coach of the Polson squad.
"They have to be right on their game for the qualifiers because there are a lot of kids involved and it's very difficult to advance."
Unit competition begins at 5 p.m. Friday night at the St. Ignatius gymnasium and will continue at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday.