Little Guy wrestling enjoying big year

Libby's Little Guy Wrestlers placed second out of 16 teams last Saturday at the Corvallis Junior High Dual Team Tournament, topping two Missoula teams and another from Kalispell to get there.

Vic Crace, the coach of Libby Little Guy Wrestling, said the team did an outstanding job.

“It's pretty impressive that our little school went down there and did as well as they did,” said Crace. “Towns like Missoula are pulling from thousands of kids.”

Crace noted that all but one of the 99 wrestlers that came out for Little Guy Wrestling this year were from Libby, and that one is from Troy.

“This is the best turnout we've had,” said Crace. “I've been the president for six years and this has been the most kids we've had.”

Some of the accomplishments of the Little Guy Wrestlers, who range from five-years-old to 15, were not small.

Joe Coker, an 8th grader in the 160 weight category, pinned his Ronan opponent in 5 seconds - faster than any pin Corvallis had ever recorded, including high school, which saw a 6 second back in 1988.

While Mitchel Haugen (105) pinned Sunny Cheff, beating him for the first time since they were six years old.

Crace said the meets are a place for the wrestlers to congregate and catch up.

“They don't see each other but three or four weeks a year, so they buddy up all weekend then they go wrestle each other.”

Saturday, March 1, the Kootenai Klassic will be held in the high school gym - the largest little guy tournament in western montana with 700 wrestlers from Montana and Idaho.

“Saturday there will be three to four thousand kids,” said Crace. “It's probaby the third biggest tournament in the whole state.”

The Little Guys will also be back in Libby March 15th for the Intervalley tournament.

Everyone is encouraged to come out and watch from 9 a.m. - 7 p.m., with tickets priced at $2 for adults and $1 for a child.

Call Vic Crace with questions at 293-6040.

Mission Mountain Classic in St. Ignatius Results

(Junior division - 13-15 years)

Casey Graff (80-85) placed 4th

Mitch Haugen (105) placed 1st

Aundre Condit (112) placed 11th

Kyle Leir (119) placed 1st

Jake Wilson (125) placed 2nd

Thomas Osborn (130) placed 7th

Dylan Berget (135) placed 1st

John Dixon (135) placed 2nd

Robin Kyes (140) placed 2nd

Austin Bailey (140) placed 5th

Justin O'Brien (145) placed 3rd

William Lee (145) placed 5th

Joe Coker (152) placed 1st

Logan Neubauer (160) placed 2nd

Karson McCollum (171-189) placed 2nd

Phillip Perez (Hwt) placed 2nd

Rigo Ibara (Hwt) placed 3rd

(Middle division - 11 and 12 years)

Zach Crace (80) placed 3rd

Levi Erickson (85) placed 2nd

Michael Miller (90) placed 1st

Josh Massey (110) placed 5th

Eric Thrift (147) placed 1st