Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
MEDAL WINNERS Lena Nicholson, Kleonna Block, Neala Block and Hartleigh Block pose with their awards.
The Montana State AAU junior wrestling tournament was held in Kalispell last weekend and the Blue Hawk Wrestling Club was well represented at the Fairgrounds complex, crowning three champions and placing several other wrestlers in the top six.
The wrestling Block girls – Kleonna (Tot – 40 pounds), Neala (Bantam – 40) and Hartleigh (Bantam – 45) – all won championships, the best of class at their weights, to lead the Blue Hawk contingent in Kalispell.
McKenzie Morgan, a Noxon High School student who did not get the chance to compete in prep wrestling this past winter, won second place in the girls Elite-126 class.
Wrestling in the Cadet-160 division, Thompson Falls freshman Max Hannum placed third. Hannum won fourth place at 160 in the recent State B-C high school tournament in Shelby.
Other Blue Hawk Club wrestlers earning medals in Kalispell include: Caz Zertzke (third Bantam-65); Lou Hannum (fourth Bantam-55); Wade Nicholson (fifth Tot-45); Leana Nicholson (fifth Midget-70) and Vance Zeretzke (sixth Tot-50).
Also competing in the State AAU were Ava Taylor (Bantam-65), Gabby Taylor (Midget-65), Trevor Fitchett (Bantam-50), Travis Fitchett (Bantam-55), Kage Tuma (Midget-70), Chase Geigling (Midget-75), Weston Block (Novice-65) and Kinley Dennis (Novice-75).
The Blue Hawk Wrestling Club grapplers were accompanied by coaches Nate Block, Ian Taylor and Ashley Block in Kalispell.
Since the official Montana Little Guy season was scrapped due to COVID-19, local wrestling clubs have been left to schedule events as available, and the local club has managed to stay active. Club grapplers will head in two different directions this week, with some going to the Montana Open in Billings and others to Bonner Ferry for league wrestling action there.
Club president Mike Thilmony said Max Hannum will likely be chosen for Montana's freshman-sophomore team into the prestigious Iowa Duals in Des Moines April 2-3, and that his son Trae Thilmony, now a two-time Montana State B-C champ, will compete in the USA Nationals, also April 2-3, in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
, that same weekend.
Thilmony says wrestlers from all over Montana and beyond are expected to gather in St. Ignatius April 9-10 for a benefit tournament for former Mission wrestler Isaiah Allik.
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