Greenchain grapplers look to improve on 2012

The sound system paused, Head Coach Kelly Morford talks about burying the head, securing the knee in the saddle and executing a butcher. In the blue and yellow padded room, sweaty young men circle around and catch their breaths as they listen intently. Painted on the walls are the infallible demands to “Expect Pain, Endure Pain, Never Complain.”

It’s wrestling season.

At 12 members, the Libby Greenchain wrestling team is one of the smallest in years, but Morford is thankful for his dutiful dozen. He hits the hallways looking for potential new wrestlers, but usually ends up looking at the same young men at the end of practice.

“It’s tough when you don’t have the depth to compete with some teams,” Morford said. “Wrestling is a tough sport. But we got some guys.”

Zach Crace and Garret Chapel are the two returning wrestlers to have placed at last year’s state tournament. Chapel finished fifth at 170 pounds. Crace finished third at 125. Both hope to improve on solid seasons beginning with Friday’s opening meet in Havre.

The Loggers run a tight practice. Morford orders lingo-heavy commands and the young men respond quickly. Before every new drill begins, Morford yells, “ready,” to which the team and all four coaches respond with an authoritative, in-unison clap.

The team’s two seniors, Skylar “Skip” Higareda and Josh Bowers, have their sights set on divisionals, which Libby hosts this year. Higareda will compete at 138 pounds while Bowers plans to wrestle at both 160 and 170.

“I got third in divisionals last year,” Higareda said. “I’d like to win that and place at state.”

The senior duo praised their head coach’s demanding approach. After an hour and a half focusing on technique, the Loggers ended Tuesday practice with wind sprints, pushups and pull-ups to the blaring sounds of heavy rock. The young men competed to post the fastest times and highest numbers.

“Coach is always asking for one more,” Bowers said. “That’s what I like about wrestling. It’s more individual. If something is wrong, it’s up to you to fix it.”