RONAN - Mission-Charlo was the highest-finishing valley team at

the Western Montana Duals last weekend, placing fourth and going

3-3 in dual action at the large tournament in Ronan.

RONAN - Mission-Charlo was the highest-finishing valley team at the Western Montana Duals last weekend, placing fourth and going 3-3 in dual action at the large tournament in Ronan.

"We try focusing on wrestling each match hard for six minutes," head coach Lyle Cronk said. "When it comes down to it, no one wants to lose, regardless of who it's to. It is exciting for us to get an opportunity to compete against bigger schools, so we want to take advantage of those opportunities when they come."

Mission-Charlo opened the duals with a close battle against Class A Libby. The Bulldogs gave the Greenchain all they could handle but fell 45-39. Mission-Charlo recorded five pins. They followed that up with a dominant 52-18 victory over Florence, with Steven Braco, Jacen Petersen and Chadd Anderson pinning their opponents.

To end Friday's duals, Mission-Charlo took on Ronan in a valley rivalry and the Bulldogs edged by the Chiefs 42-39.

"Our wrestlers were definitely excited for the dual against Ronan," Cronk said. "Scotty Gilleard started us out with a quick pin and Jacen Petersen scoring a pin over Dustin Goldsby were two important factors in the outcome."

On Saturday, the Bulldogs took down Thompson Falls 46-36.

Mission got three pins from Gregory Weatherwax, Scotty Gilleard and Steven Bravo. Then they faced eventual Duals champion Class A Corvallis, which took a 65-15 victory over Mission-Charlo. Gregory Weatherwax and Barret Sargent picked up two pins and they both came in the first minute.

In its final dual of the tournament, Glacier's JV got by Mission-Charlo 45-33, but the Bulldogs picked up two pins. Russell Schultz and Steven Bravo were able to put their opponents on the mat.

"Everyone on the team got a win this weekend and no one went undefeated. It truly was a team effort," Cronk said. "Scotty Gilleard had a great weekend, facing six tough opponents and beating four of them. Scotty created important momentum starting out at the Florence, Ronan and Thompson Falls duals. Freshman Gregory Weatherwax also had an outstanding weekend nearly going undefeated and picking up important wins against divisional rivals. Freshman Jay Wadsworth picked up his first win in the match against Glacier. He has worked very hard and improved tremendously. He wrestled a great match, wrestling hard for six minutes. It was a great victory."

Work ethic like Wadsworth's will be needed for the coming weeks as it becomes something of a stretch run for the wrestling. It's easy to lose focus but for the teams that don't get distracted, the payoff is big.

"We had a great break but it has come and gone," Cronk said. "This part of the season can be very tough on a team. Right now the pressure from competition, grades and the looming postseason often gets to wrestlers and teams. The teams that can rise above the distractions and stay focused on improving will prove to be the best teams. We have to keep improving and take care of business in the classroom."

THOMPSON FALLS MIXER

Mission-Charlo showed its mettle at the Thompson Falls mixer on Tuesday, Jan. 4, getting 14 wins in the tournament. Fabian Camacho and Jacen Petersen both picked up two match wins.

"We have a good group of wrestlers, but I am not sure about depth," Cronk said. "We can't afford to lose anyone to injury, grades, or discipline. There are 15 weight classes and we have 13 wrestlers. Our focus is on improving our strengths, eliminating our weaknesses and increasing our intensity."