Greenchain bids farewell to seniors
In the last match on Senior Night in the Ralph Tate Memorial Gym Thursday night, Reed Christensen had a chance to tie the team score against the Whitefish Bulldogs. He battled Brooks Krause for three periods and as time wound down Christensen defended while the crowd and coaches hollered for him to attack. Christensen was unaware that he was down by one point, which coach Kelly Morford called an honest mistake. Whitefish won, 36-30, as Libby bid farewell to a special group of senior wrestlers.
Greenchain seniors Dylan Roby, Michael Miller, Zach Crace, Garret Chapel and Alex Yeadon, along with coaches and associated team members, were announced before the dual and recognized for their dedication.
Morford spoke about how wrestling instills character in the young men who join the demanding sport. “There’s a quote by Dan Gable that says, ‘Once you wrestle, everything else in life is easy.’ That may not be true all of the time, but it’s true most of the time,” Morford said. “It’s just a sport that teaches them dedication and hard work. I think if more young men wrestled we’d be in better shape.” He wasn’t referring to physical shape.
Chapel and Crace have positioned themselves to a have real chance at bringing home hardware from state, but first they will have to do their thing at the divisional tournament. Crace won his match by dominating Matthew Sampson from the beginning and getting the fall with 35 seconds left in the first period. Chapel won by forfeit.
Several of the matches were decided in the first round. “Some of our better kids didn’t really match up with their better kids, but it came down to a good match there in the end,” Morford said, referring to Christensen’s match.
Christensen’s energy was visible when he stepped onto the mat. The wrestlers were tied 2-2 at the end of the first round. Krause earned two quick points with an escape to start the second round, but by the end of the second the score was tied at four.
Midway through the third period, Christensen gained good side control and looked like he was going to get the pin. “He thought he got the near-fall and didn’t. He thought he was up at the end and he didn’t shoot,” said Morford. Krause was able to escape, which added the one point that was the difference in the match.
“Reed was real excited to go out there and win that dual for us. Unfortunately it didn’t happen, but I’m proud of the way he competed out there,” Morford said.
Thursday night was the last time Greenchain seniors would wrestle in front of their home crowd. “It’s kind of depressing thinking it’s the last time I’ll ever get to wrestle here, but there’s a new chapter in life,” said Crace. His next chapter will take him to Great Falls, where he’ll continue to wrestle and get his education. Before he moves on, Crace has some unfinished business to take care of in his high school wrestling career. “I feel good, I feel like this is going to be my year to win it.”
Fellow senior Garret Chapel said the Libby crowd is one of the best crowds in Montana. “There are a lot of emotions being it’s the last time I’ll wrestle here,” he said. “It’s been a great atmosphere wrestling here. It’s like a big brotherhood with all these guys, everyone is there for you.”
Morford said this group of seniors will always hold a special place in his heart. “These guys kind of grew up with me as a coach. I was a real young coach when they started, just starting off myself, so it’s been a growing process for all of us.”
Long-time Montana High School Association wrestling official Doug Crum was also celebrated for his outstanding 41 seasons of officiating on Senior Night. Crum was the Greenchains’ coach in 1971 before he began his career as official. The Libby pool of officials thrived during his tenure; at one point sending the same three referees to the state tournament for 25 consecutive years.
Crum officiated his final tournament last year and tried to quietly slip out the backdoor without seeking any attention, but the Libby faithful found a way to show their appreciation. The crowd rose to their feet and gave Crum a standing ovation as he was given a plaque honoring his commitment to the sport.
Up next for the Greenchain is the Divisional Tournament on Feb. 6 and 7 in Polson.
Whitefish 36, Libby 30
103: Parker McWhirter (WHS) over Mason Sams (LIBB) (Fall 1:29) 113: Double Forfeit 120: James Buckley (WHS) over Tim Brivka (LIBB) (Fall 1:29) 126: Laine Young (LIBB) over Dillon Thorsteinson (WHS) (Fall 4:39) 132: Garrett Rice (WHS) over Dylan Koehler (LIBB) (Fall 1:44) 138: Brooks Krause (WHS) over Reed Christensen (LIBB) (Dec 5-4) 145: Dylan Parrish (LIBB) over Maylik Heydon (WHS) (Fall 1:14) 152: Alex Yeadon (LIBB) over Tyler Galvin (WHS) (Fall 0:59) 160: Zach Crace (LIBB) over Matthew Sampson (WHS) (Fall 1:25) 170: Judah Prestegaard (WHS) over Michael Miller (LIBB) (Dec 6-4) 182: Garret Chapel (LIBB) over (WHS) (For.) 205: Travis Catina (WHS) over (LIBB) (For.) 285: Steven Quimby (WHS) over (LIBB) (For.)