Pirate wrestlers gaining experience
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Although considered young by Head Coach Bob Owen, the Pirates are determined to make their mark on the mats. Boasting six wrestlers combining for 20-plus wins and several ranking in state week after week, chances of Pirate placers in postseason look better with every meet.
“We’re a little bit mixed,” Owen said. “They’re young and inexperienced but have made a lot of progress.”
While feeling pretty good about their third place in conference, Owen says they still have to get through Columbia Falls and Frenchtown — both tough teams to beat.
“Hopefully we give them a battle,” Owen said.
Leading the Pirates are their three seniors Carlos Quinones, Tel Motichka, and Jared Young. Quinones wrestles at 119 with a 22-10 record for the season, and already has a state placing under his belt. Motichka (170) has been a dominating force on the mat, leading the Pirates in win/loss percentage, 23-8. Young (145) has found placement in the weekly state rankings more than once.
“Those guys are hard workers,” Owen said. “They do an excellent job leading the other kids.”
Younger Pirates with 20-plus wins on the season are also making an impact. Freshman Jared Morgan, who wrestles at 113, has 21 wins. Sophomores Jaben Wenzel (120) and Tele Seemann (182) are also boasting 20 wins while Mike Corrigan (195) has a total of 21. Freshman Thunder Morales, an up-and-coming force, took second in state rankings last week.
All in all Owen is pleased with his kids and is excited to see where postseason takes them.
“We’ve come pretty far from the beginning to where we are now,” he said.
The Pirates will head to Libby Feb. 8 to compete in the Northwest Class A Divisional Tournament.
Results - Saturday, Feb. 1
Polson – 42
Ronan - 30
113 Cody Hedeen (Pol) won by Forfeit
120 Jaben Wenzel (Pol) won by Forfeit
126 Carlos Quinones (Pol) Pinned Lane Garcia (Ron) 3:30
132 Chase Rhine (Ron) Pinned Skylar Knutson (Pol) 4:28
138 Alex Helgeson (Pol) Pinned Stetson Jore (Ron) 2:49
145 Brandon Dumont (Ron) Pinned Steven Ostberg (Pol) 2:19
152 Connor Benn (Ron) Pinned Ryan Burland (Pol) :23
160 Graden Irish (Ron) Pinned Triston Martin (Pol) 1:25
170 Tel Motichka (Pol) Pinned Ronny Cullis (Ron) 3:25
