Chaotic might just be the word to

describe the atmosphere of the little guy wrestling tournament last

weekend. After competing at three different inter-valley

tournaments, the Superior wrestlers headed to Missoula for the

championship tournament in Missoula where they finished their

season.

The stands were filled and parents, eager to get a snapshot of

their child wrestling, squeezed the mats with cameras and

camcorders. The gym was loud as it bustled with activity and

parents shouted and cheered for their kids.

Coaches stood nearby as their wrestlers went up against opponents

to offer advice and encouragement. Wrestlers also huddled around

the mats cheering on their teammates and talking excitedly with

others around them.

Superior had four wrestlers place at the tournament in

Missoula.

Wrestling at 190 pounds in the novice division, Kade Parkin brought

home a second place finish. At 70 pounds in the middle division,

Blaine Parkin grabbed a third place finish. Wrestling at 105 pounds

also in the middle division, Nathan Lapinski took third. Finally,

in the middle division at 187 pounds, Aaron Kelly took second

place.

The season is kept short, six weeks, as not to burn the kids out,

but wraps several lessons into the season. The sport promotes hard

work and self-discipline. The coaches also hope that the sport

teaches the kids to practice good sportsmanship and to learn that

even when you lose that it’s an opportunity to learn to fix what

went wrong.