Greenchain enjoy fourth place finish at annual Bob Kinney Classic

Senior Trey Thompson led a young, but hungry Libby Greenchain squad to a fourth place finish overall at the Bob Kinney Classic in Superior on Dec. 14.

Thompson knocked off Darwin Adams of St. Ignatius-Charlo with a fall at 152 pounds. He entered the tournament after a successful showing at the Owen Invitational earlier in the month.

When he’s not on the mat, Thompson is offering encouragement and advice to his younger teammates, said head coach Dean Thompson.

“He shows great leadership,” he said. “He’s always the one right there when the matches are going. He’s always talking to the guys.”

At 113 pounds, freshman Matthew Niemi took second place after falling to Decker Milender of Alberton-Superior. Teammate Xander Spady, a junior, also placed second at 126, coming up short against Trae Thilmony of Thompson Falls.

Libby sophomore Cody Crace took second at 160 pounds, defeated in the title round by Austin Vanek of Cut Bank. Freshman Cael Schwindt took third at 103 pounds, beating Connor Johnson of Glacier.

And newcomer Ayden Williamson, known better for his standout performances on the Loggers’ football squad, took fourth at 285 pounds. Although new to the sport, Williamson is a welcome addition to the Greenchain, Thompson said.

“He’s working hard in practice and doing real well for us,” he said.

Cut Bank ended up taking first place overall with 175 points while St. Ignatius-Charlo took second with 171 points. Alberton-Superior placed third with 146 team points.

Though eventually sidelined by an injury, Tucker Masters won two matches and contributed mightily to Libby’s point haul, Thompson said. He had a “good weekend,” Thompson said.

Thompson, new to the position of head coach, is particularly pleased with the performance of his freshmen. That Niemi and Schwindt placed shows how well the team has developed in the still young season, Thompson said.

“They’re really coming on pretty well,” he said. “I’ve got some real young kids and after the first couple of weeks, they’re starting to produce.”

And that’s just what the head coach wants to see. Although new to helming the ship, Thompson comes to the Greenchain with years of experience as a wrestler and then a wrestling official. Work hard and have fun is how he summed up his philosophy.

“Wrestling is a hard sport to have fun in. When you’re winning it’s easier, but it’s a one-on-one thing,” Thompson said. “Come out and work hard. What you put into the sport is what you will get out of it.”