Pirates wrestlers hope to utalize break to improve on No. 2 ranking in coaches poll
The Polson Pirates wrestling team has already received validation as one of the top-tier teams in Class A as the Pirates prepare to head into the break to refine their fundamental mechanics.
The Pirates, who are currently ranked No. 2 in Class A behind powerhouse Havre in the recent coaches poll, will work to refine their skills with the core group with the hope of giving themselves an opportunity to medal at state.
Pirates coach Bob Owen knows it will be hard to hold onto the current ranking because of the competitive nature of the teams listed behind his.
“There are three other teams right now including Frenchtown and Sidney that will challenge for that second-place spot at state. They are both going to be really competitive and it will be us three (teams) competing for trophies.”
In an analysis of his team’s first-half performance, Owen has concluded his team has “really progressed” since the 2016-2017 wrestling campaign.
“The core group is older and I am really happy with how they are progressing,” Owen said. “They’ve made a lot of progress from last year to this year. Their progress is really amazing. All of the core group is really competing and that is our primary reason for being ranked No. 2 in the state. I think they are showing respect for our seasoned kids and especially for the six placers that are returning. The coaches are showing respect for that.”
Owen said he is “aware” it is going to take a concerted effort from some of his younger, less experienced wrestlers in order to place as high in February as his team is capable of at Billings.
“We are going to have to get a couple of those kids that aren’t frontrunners going up there and doing well at state,” Owen said. “That is what we are doing during the break. We are getting them ready for tournament time.”
One wrestler Owen has expressed confidence in is the improvement of Noah Humphrey. Humphrey is a wrestler Owen has stated could make a difference on where the Pirates stand at the podium.
“I would say Noah is very close to being a contender in his weight class this year,” Owen said. “He’s made some real strides.”
During the break Owen said he might bring in some other wrestlers, including accomplished Polson alum Brett Owen, to work to refine some of the kids’ techniques.
“During the break, it’ll be back to basics,” Owen said. “We have to make sure that we are sound and make a lot of progress in order to make sure their basics are really good. We are going to take time to do that. We have a few alumni that will come back and work out and share a little bit with us. There is quite a fraternity here (at Polson) and that is what I love about it.”
Aside from the core group of Parker Adler (152), Cameron Brown (138-145), Bridger Wenzel (132-138), Hunter Fritsch (182), Mateo Quinones (120-126) and Humphrey, they will need to get significant contributions from others in order to stand up on the podium, Owen said.
Some of the other wrestlers that Owen said he felt will be key contributors to propelling the Pirates to a high ranking on the podium include Garrett Croft and Jarod Farrier, Owen said.
“It is hard to believe that we are on break right now,” Owen said. “These kids are working out in the weight room and have a real camaraderie. The core kids are setting great examples for the younger ones and helping mentor those kids. Things are going well right now for our program.”
Class A
Teams – 1, Havre; 2, Polson; 3, Frenchtown; 4, Lewistown; 5, Sidney; 6, C.Falls; 7, Corvallis; 8, Hardin; 9, Glendive; 10, Hamilton.
Sports Editor’s Note: The following are the newest Class A Coaches Polls after several of these particpated in major tournaments and at the conclusion of the first half of the season
Class A coaches’ poll
Teams: 1. Havre, 2. Frenchtown, 3. Sidney, 4. Polson, 5. Lewistown, 6. Ronan, 7. Glendive, 8. Columbia Falls, 9. Corvallis, 10. Hardin
Individual NWA wrestlers (abridged)
103 – 4, Trapper McAllister, Ronan; 5, Masyn Cowell, Polson;
113 – 4, R.J. Pierre, Polson;
120 – 5, Spencer Stagg, Ronan;
126 – 2, Mateo Quinones, Polson;
132 – 4, Noah Cheff, Ronan;
138 – 5, Bridger Wenzel, Polson; 6, Hunter Peterson, Ronan;
145 – 2, Cameron Brown, Polson; 5, Seth Cheff, Ronan;
152 – 1, Parker Adler, Polson;
170 – 2, Hunter Fritsch, Polson;
WR: Mission Mountain Classic - 12/23/2017
WRE: Florence Quad - 12/21/2017
Class A wrestling poll - 12/21/2017
Wrestling at Glacier with Polson, Missoula Sentinel - 12/21/2017
Class B and C wrestling coaches poll - 12/20/2017
T. Falls-Mission/Charlo wrestling - 12/20/2017
Ronan, Hamilton, Salmon, ID wrestling - 12/19/2017