Bulldogs wrestling comes up big in quad meet with Big Fork, Florence

ST. IGNATIUS — The Mission High School Bulldogs wrestling team captured both of its matches in its Tri-Meet Duel wrestling match that featured Florence High School and Big Fork.

The Bulldogs won their first duel match against Big Fork 54-24.

“The best thing was the kids came and wrestled, they wrestled pretty well, and the crowd got excited,” Bulldogs’ Coach Lyle Cronk said. “Both duels went well and it was a good momentum booster for us going forward on Saturday.”

Cronk said he felt like his team learned a lot from the Polson Pirates Invitational.

“We had a young team, and they took a few lessons and a few lumps in Polson,” Cronk said. “However, they really bounced back well and got some wins.”

Cronk said the more mat time his Bulldogs’ team can get, the better the team’s experience.

“Every time you step on the mat, it’s a learning experience,” Cronk said. “Even though the wrestlers are stepping into high school, it feels a little different when an upperclassman puts a move on you. It’s just about building confidence and learning team lessons.”

Mission won its second match over Florence 39-34. Two key matches helped the Bulldogs win. Cole Gilleard defeated Anthony Tulac at the 132-pound division. Gus Bosley also pinned Spencer Jones in the 182-pound division.

“I didn’t know if we were going to win that one,” Cronk said. “It came down to Bosley and he pretty much had to win his match to seal the deal. He got a pin against Spencer Jones.”

Cronk said he was “pleased” with how his team performed.

“This Saturday, we competed a lot better and we didn’t look as shell-shocked,” Cronk said. “The kids came out, competed hard, and really improved over the week. That was the emphasis that every kid do his job this week. We just need to continue to work on the strengths and weaknesses every single week.”

Mission Quad

(Fr09Dec16)

Mission-Charlo 54, Bigfork 24

126 – Isaac Dumontier (M-C) p. Tyrell Holman (B) 4:31; 132 – Darwin Adams (M-C) p. Nicholas Smetana (B) 1:57; 138 - Castor Conly (B) p. Cole Eard (M-C) 1:38; 145 – Troy Mitchell (M-C) p. Hunter Pickens (B) 0:31.

Mission-Charlo won 103, 113, 120, 152, 182 and 285 by forfeit. Bigfork won 160, 170 and 205 by forfeit.

Florence 36, Bigfork 18

Mission-Charlo 49, Florence 39

120 – Bailey Wieble (M-C) p. Aarons Edens (F) 0:58; 132 – Cole Gilleard (M-C) d. Anthony Dulac (F) 6-4; 138 – Avery Meinzen (F) p. Darwin Adams (M-C) 1:17; 145 – Kyler Alm (F) md. Troy Mitchell (M-C) 14-5; 152 – Tyler Pancake (F) p. Miles Anderson (M-C) 0:59; 182 – Gus Bosley (M-C) p. Spencer Jones (F) :49.

Mission-Charlo won 103, 113, 126 and 285 by forfeit. Florence won 160, 170 and 205 by forfeit (Fr09Dec16)