Greenchain wrestlers claim second at Owen Invitational

The Libby Greenchain wrestlers are off to a strong start to the 2024-25 season with a second-place finish last weekend at the Owen Invitational in Polson.

Greenchain wrestlers enjoyed top six placewinner performances by nine wrestlers while totaling 177 points. Libby was first after Friday’s action, but Idaho’s Lake City ended up winning the invite with 237.5 points while crowning four champs.

Columbia Falls was third with 172, Frenchtown fourth with 157 and Ronan fifth with 148. Corvallis was sixth, followed by Browning, Eureka, East Helena and Stevensville.

Freshman Levi Nick got Libby off and running with a third-place finish at 103 pounds. He decisioned Frenchtown’s Landon Hansen, 4-0, to claim third.

Freshman Tristan Rogers was second at 110. He dropped a 14-7 decision in the finals to Frenchtown’s Jared Nygard, but he reached the finals with a thrilling, sudden victory win over Polson’s Wyatt Moldenhaur.

Senior Riley Orr was fourth at 118. He won his first match before dropping a quarterfinal. But Orr rallied with three straight wins to make the third-place match.

Junior Bridger Bache was fifth at 126. He rolled into the semifinals with three straight pins before getting pinned by Columbia Falls’ Octavious Christianson. Another loss followed in the consolation semifinals.

But Bache exited the tourney a winner when he major decisioned Florence’s Landon Serevaag, 15-7.

Sophomore Nicholas Campbell was fourth at 138 after winning five of seven matches. Three of the wins were pins and a fourth was by technical fall.

Junior Gabe Kosters was sixth at 144. He dropped his opening match before ripping off five straight wins, four by fall, to get himself into contention for a medal finish.

Junior Boe Miles was second at 150. He pinned his first four opponents, including three in the first period. Miles’ only loss was to Lake City, Idaho’s Alden Curto, who was a state qualifier a year ago.

Junior Ian Thom was sixth at 190. He lost his first match before winning three straight to qualify for a medal finish. In the fifth place match, he battled Corvallis’ Colton Snyder before falling 7-4.

Junior Hunter Nelson was 1-3 and placed sixth at heavyweight. He won a quarterfinal match by fall over Thompson Falls’ Jacobe Wood in 51 seconds.

After a semifinal loss, Nelson dropped a 5-3 heartbreaker to Lake City’s Cameron Gray.

Libby also saw several other wrestlers compete at the tournament. They included Darius Williamson (1-2), Gabe Bassett (0-2), Darrin Denton (2-2), Kale Riddle (0-2), Jeremiah Thomas (2-2), Connor Benson (1-2), Tristen DeShazer (2-2), Travis Lundin (0-2), Hunter Rooney (3-2), Payton Freeman (0-2), Tanner Wolfe (2-2), Brysen Miller (2-2) and Tucker Morgan (1-2).

Other teams crowning champions were Browning (Tahj Wells), Columbia Falls (Rowdy Crump), East Helena (Eli Erdahl), Eureka (Hunter Grieve, Wes Banks), Frenchtown (Jared Nygard), Ronan (Ridge Cote, Koda King), Stevensville (Benjamin White), Thompson Falls (Weston Block).

The Greenchain are back in action Friday at Stevensville for a tri-match with Whitefish. Saturday, they’ll compete at the Bob Kinney Classic in Superior.

Libby is at home for the first time Tuesday, Dec. 17, for the Battle of the Kootenai against Eureka.

    Libby's Gabe Kosters works his opponent over his back at the Owen Invitational wrestling tournament Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, in Polson. (Seth Anderson Photography)
  

    Libby's Ian Thom has his opponent under control at the Owen Invitational in Polson Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. (Seth Anderson Photography)
  

    Libby's Nicholas Campbell eyes up his opponent at the Owen Invitational wrestling tournament Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, in Polson. (Seth Anderson Photography)