With a ninth-place finish earned with just a handful of athletes, Libby Greenchain wrestling can take the off-season to rest, recuperate and begin training for next season.

Head Coach Kelly Morford was content with Greenchain’s finish, and how the team competed. 

“Our goal all along was to wrestle our best at the state tournament,” he said. “The tournament was our best effort all season.”

Of the five wrestlers to make it to the second day of the state tourney, two will return. Zach Crace and Garret Chapel, sophomores, will be likely leaders for Greenchain next season.

Seniors who made it to state, Mitch Haugen, Austin Bailey, Zack Dolezal, Ricky Roach and Patrick Valentine, will cost the tean a dearth of experience when they graduate.

“We’ve got Chapel and Crace, all-state wrestlers,” Morford said. “And Josh Bowers stepped into a little bit of a leadership role.”

Bowers, a junior, qualified for state but did not attend because of a pre-scheduled surgery. 

Morford had praise for more than just his underclassmen.

“Mitch (Haugen) wanted to defend that state title,” he said. “He should be proud of the way he came back from a shoulder injury. And Zack (Dolezal) has only been wrestling for two years. To wrestle at the level he has been is awesome.

“Austin always knew he had the ability. I’m happy he used it.”

For at least one wrestler, he felt his effort was worth it.

“It was fun,” Crace said. “It was better than last year at state, when I just kind of stopped competing. I wish I could have got a better draw. I could have finished second.”