Greenchain win in ninth-level tie breaker
Libby's Cody Crace drives towards a half-nelson against Eureka's Chance Muller Tuesday. Crace won the match by decision in the last match of the Battle of the Kootenai dual to tie the score 25-25. (John Blodgett/The Western News)
Zack Morrison of Libby tries to run the power half from the leg ride position against Eureka’s Kyle Durden.
Libby’s Buddy Doolin works to flatten out Eureka’s Gunnar Smith Tuesday in Libby.
Libby’s Buddy Doolin tries to break down Eureka’s Gunnar Smith Tuesday. (John Blodgett/The Western News)
Dawson Young of Libby works for a pin with the half-nelson against Eureka’s Nathan Cargill Tuesday. Young eventually won by pin.
Libby’s Jeff Offenbecher finishes a double leg takedown against Eureka’s Izaac Petz Tuesday. (John Blodgett/The Western News)
Libby/Troy 25, Eureka 25
LIBBY — It was close and tight to the finish with Libby/Troy prevailing in the end thanks to the ninth tie-breaker — most near falls.
The Loggers had the most, which broke the tie and gave them the dual win.
“All around a fun dual,” Libby/Troy coach Kelly Morford said.
“Great competition.”
Eureka held a 25-22 edge heading into the final match at 138 pounds. Libby/Troy freshman Cody Crace pulled through with a 7-2 decision over Chance Muller to tie it.
“He controlled it all the way,” Morford said of Crace in that match.
Morford said he had no special words for advice for the youngster before he took the mat.
“Just let him go,” Morford said.
“I didn't know how much pressure was already on him.”
It was the first time Crace had wrestled Muller.
As a result, “we didn't know what to expect,” Morford said.
There was just one forfeit on the night — both teams were empty at 103.
Libby and Eureka both won six weight classes in the evenly matched dual.
Eureka prevailed in last year's Battle of the Kootenai with Libby.
145 — Jeffery Offenbecher, L/T, maj. dec. Izaac Petz, 12-4; 152 — Dawson Young, L/T, pinned Nathan Cargill, 5:38; 160 — James Fehr, E, dec. Tim Carvey, 9-2; 170 — Jon Schmidt, E, maj. dec. Tanner Wood, 9-0; 182 — Garrett Graves, E, pinned Ethan Borden, :38; 205 — Gabe Van Orden. L/T, pinned Simon Granberg, 1:40; 285 — Sam Johnson, E, dec. Cyrus Sweedman, 5-4; 103 — Double Forfeit; 113 — Buddy Doolin, L/T, dec. Gunnar Smith, 4-2; 120: Zack Morrison, L/T, dec. Kyle Durden, 8-3; 126 — Nathan Schmidt, E, pinned Mason Sams, :45; 132 — Hank Dunn, E, dec. Trey Thompson (SV-1 6-4) 138 — Cody Crace, L/T, dec. Chance Muller, 7-2.