Morford excited for divisionals

Greenchain wrestlers may not have gotten the team win against Columbia Falls on Thursday, but coach Kelly Morford came away from the dual with several positive things to say about his team’s effort. Columbia Falls outscored the Greenchain 58-15.

“Although the score may not reflect it, I think we continue to take steps forward. Columbia Falls has a lot of depth so it was good challenge to wrestle them late in the year and see where we are as we get closer to the post-season. In most cases, the kids we wrestled on Thursday will be our toughest competition.”

Morford pointed to two matches with different results that he felt were both positive matches for his wrestlers.

“Michael Miller wrestled one of his better matches of the year and beat a tough opponent,” said Morford.

“He really turned a corner down in Missoula a few weekends ago and is continuing to get better each week. He has been out of wrestling for a while so we knew it would take some time but I think he is really hitting his stride.”

In the other match, wrestling at 103 pounds, Mason Sams was ever so close to victory. “Mason was up big in his match and was really dominating a kid that he has never beaten before. Unfortunately, he got out of position and got caught on his back so he didn’t get the win.”

Morford said Sams was obviously disappointed with the loss, “But the coaches saw it as a sign that he is really improving and I know he will beat that kid the next time they see each other,” Morford said.

Zach Crace and Garret Chapel continued their impressive senior campaigns, both notching wins by way of pin in their matches. Crace got his win 11 seconds into the second period and Chapel put an end to his match with 8 seconds left in the first period.

“As a team, we don’t have a lot of competition left before divisionals in a few weeks, so we will have to really focus on staying sharp physically and mentally in the practice room. All of our technique is in so it will be about staying in shape and getting better at what we already do. I am excited to see how the boys finish up the season.”

Greenchain wrestlers will celebrate their seniors at Senior Night against Whitefish at Ralph Tate Gym in Libby on Thursday night.  It’s the last time home fans will be able to cheer on several wrestlers on the team. The dual begins at 7 p.m.

Columbia Falls 58 Libby 15

103: Austin Nelson (CF) over Mason Sams (LIBB) (Fall 5:35) 113: Winfield West (CF) over (LIBB) (For.) 120: Ben Windauer (CF) over Tim Brivka (LIBB) (Fall 0:51) 126: Haze Bell (CF) over Laine Young (LIBB) (MD 9-1) 132: Kaleb Gravelin (CF) over Dylan Roby (LIBB) (Fall 1:42) 138: Shonn Roberts (CF) over Reed Christensen (LIBB) (Fall 0:31) 145: Colton Gove (CF) over Dylan Parrish (LIBB) (Fall 1:11) 152: Zach Crace (LIBB) over Cody Walters (CF) (Fall 2:11) 160: Michael Miller (LIBB) over Storm Kemppainen (CF) (Dec 7-4) 170: Garret Chapel (LIBB) over Miguel Garate (CF) (Fall 1:52) 182: Mikey Denison (CF) over (LIBB) (For.) 205: Ike Schwiekert (CF) over (LIBB) (For.) 285: Spencer Ross (CF) over (LIBB) (For.)