Arlee wrestling: small team, big hearts
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With only seven on the team and five available to compete, Warrior wrestling is making its mark and having fun in the process. Coach Ken Hill is nothing but impressed with his team’s effort. “They’re improving a lot and we’re having a good wrestling season,” he said.
Warrior dedication to improving is showing with each match they face. Arlee hosted a mixer on Thursday with wrestlers winning eight matches, and in Thompson Falls on Saturday, three Warriors placed in their weight classes. TJ Knoll placed first at 106, Alex Bertollt placed second in the 160 class, and Daniel Dunlop came away with third at 132.
“Alex and Daniel are doing well,” Hill said about his two experienced athletes. “The other guys are learning a lot. TJ’s a freshman and is coming in strong.”
It takes hard work and dedication to be successful on the mat, as well as a healthy body. Hill says it starts before the season.
“The kids play other sports which helps them get into shape. We also put in a lot of conditioning like stair running and push-ups,” he said. The Warriors also do a pre-season open mat where the kids can come to the gym and “wrestle their buddies.”
Hill sees promise in his boys going into qualifying for divisionals. “Each kid has improved his skills and technique and it shows,” he said. “It’s a lot of hard work but we’re having fun.”
The Warriors have a busy week ahead as they take to the road with meets at Conrad Jan. 16 and Choteau Jan. 17-18.
Arlee Mixer Results
Teams: Arlee, Superior, Hellgate
106 - Blaine Parkin (Sup) dec. TJ Knoll (Arl) 14-6, TJ Knoll (Arl) p. Tate Trudeau (Sup) 1:30
113 - Anthony Parkin (Sup) tech. TJ Knoll (Arl) 21-5
132 - Daniel Dunlop (Arl) p. Shawn Olsen (HG) 4:47, Daniel Dunlop (Arl) p. Henry Porter (HG) 3:31
138 - Harold Yocum (Arl) p. Henry Porter (HG) 1:31, Shawn Olson (HG) p. Harold Yocum (Arl) 3:38, Brady Needles (HG) p. Harold Yocum (Arl) 3:39, Daniel Dunlop (Arl) maj. dec. Brady Needles (HG) 20-7
145 - Brady Needles (HG) p. Ty Adams (Arl) 1:25
152 - Jack Lewis (HG) p. Ty Adams (Arl) 0:56, Alex Bertollt (Arl) p. Jack Lewis (HG) 0:49, Reece Robinson (HG) p. Ty Adams A 0:42
160 - Alex Bertollt (Arl) p. Reece Robinson (HG) 2:55
171 - Alex Bertollt (Arl) dec. Jack Martinich (HG) 9-4
Stats were not provided for the Thompson Falls meet.
