Seven wrestlers place for Bulldogs
Cody Martens of Noxon versus Heavyweight of Charlo Nick??
DARBY — After going to Plains and Florence for mixers, the Mission/Charlo wrestling team finished eighth at the Darby Invitational.
Seven individuals placed in the tournament featuring many of the same teams the Bulldogs have seen this season.
Head coach Lyle Cronk said the story of the day was Chad Anderson’s performance at the tournament.
“He just wrestled outstanding,” Cronk said.
Anderson started the day with a loss at 171 pounds, but wrestled back to the consolation match where he took fourth after a loss to Arlee’s Damon Cordier. Last time Anderson and Cordier faced off, Anderson was pinned.
After his initial loss, Anderson won two decisions and earned a pin.
Cronk said Anderson exhibited confidence on the mat whether he was on top or bottom.
“It’s always a confidence builder when you win three in a row after losing one,” Cronk said.
The fourth-place finish is impressive to Cronk, who said Anderson won only one match last year.
Scotty Gilleard took first at 125 pounds after receiving a forfeit in the championship match. Cronk said he didn’t know why Gilleard’s opponent forfeited the title match.
“It was an easy day for Scotty,” he said.
Travis Dumont took third at 152 pounds after winning a 14-1 decision over Thompson Falls Zach Lyons.
Barrett Sargent also took third at 171 pounds after winning a 5-2 decision against Thompson Falls’ Levy Dowell.
As a team, Mission/Charlo wasn’t as strong as it was two weekends ago in Thompson Falls.
“[In Thompson Falls], we had more pins,” Cronk said. “This time, we got bumped out by some tough kids.”
Jame Petersen and Dillon Edwards were out with injuries but will return for the divisional tournament this weekend in Deer Lodge.
“We have to show up and get the job done,” Cronk said.
The toughest competition will be Florence, who is the favorite to win, as well as Arlee, Darby and Thompson Falls.
The Bulldogs want to have a majority of the team place in the top four of their weight classes.
“Our goal is to leave as few kids home as possible,” Cronk said.