10 Greenchain wrestlers qualify for state tournament

Greenchain hasn’t had the easiest season. 

With injuries, underwhelming performances and a steep learning curve, the wrestlers of Libby and Troy spent two months just trying to learn how to succeed on the mat.

At the divisional tournament in Frenchtown on Saturday, it appears Greenchain did just that, with ten grapplers earning spots at the state meet.

The Loggers finished third in Northwestern A with 136 points, just edging out Polson with 133.

Columbia Falls dominated, winning the division with 255 points and five first-place finishes. Frenchtown came in at second with 218.5 points.

Greenchain impressed, taking three titles. Zach Crace (125), Mitch Haugen (135) and Zach Dolezal (215) all won and punched a ticket to the state meet in Billings this weekend.

Crace pinned Dylan Moll of Polson in just 36 seconds. Haugen and Dolezal won by decision over their Frenchtown opponents. 

Runners-up include Garret Chapel (152), who lost a 11-9 decision to a Bronc, and Austin Bailey (171), who was beat in a 5-1 decision.

Skylar Higareda (135) finished third, while Ricky Roach (145), Josh Bowers (171) and Patrick Valentine (189) earned a ride to state with fourth-place finishes.

105-pounder Ty Hight also qualified for the state tournament.

Bowers, while earning a spot at state, will not head to Billiings because of planned ear surgery. Greenchain will send the nine athletes.

Libby took eighth place at the state meet last season, behind only Polson from the Northwestern A. 

Northwestern A Divisional

Team scores – Columbia Falls 255, Frenchtown 218 1/2, Libby 136, Polson 133, Whitefish 87.