Polson grapplers tangled with some significant multi-state talent at Couer d’Alene, Idaho, last weekend. Teamwise, the Pirates finished 25th with 64 points. Mead (Wash.) took the title with 171 points, with Post Falls (Idaho) second (171) and Chiwana third (155).

Emerging from the formidable fray were a pair of Pirate placers: Bridger Wenzel (152), who advanced as far as the semi in the undefeated bracket before being nipped by an 8-6 decision, ultimately finishing fourth; and Rene Pierre (106), who battled back through they consolation rounds to place seventh.

Also faring well was Masyn Cowell (120), who won three matches before his foray through the consolation bracket was curtailed short of the placement rounds.

Health often plays an influential role in sports and Pirate wrestlers at Tri-State saw their share of this type of adversity. Hunter Fritsch (170) and Logan Adler (182) were both wrestling well in the initial rounds before illness curtailed further participation by Fritsch and Adler was forced to withdraw after sustaining an injury.

Polson head coach Matt Owen viewed the developments in context as a turn of “tough luck.” Owen was impressed with the showing. “The rest of the team showed a lot of improvement, and even in their losses went down fighting ... We are excited with where we are at this point in the season, and we looking forward to a big second half.”

Polson will have already have participated in a dual at Columbia Falls on Tuesday, then send a contingent of wrestlers to the Buzz Lucey tournament in Eureka this weekend to close out the month of December.

98 — Gavin Knutson, Polson (1-2) – Knutson 3:00 p. Davian Martinez, Chiawana; Roddy Romero, Post Falls, Knutson; Theron Tate, Lake Stevens, 1:45 p. Knutson; (2nd chance) Skyler Foreman, Hermiston, 5-1 d. Knutson.

106 – 7, RJ Pierre

Rene Pierre, Polson (3-2) – RJ Pierre 7-4 d. Jake Mark, Mead; Mick Chagnon, Havre, 5:41 p. RJ Pierre; RJ Pierre 0:43p. Jason Franklin, University; Eli Warner, Frenchtown, 5-3 d. RJ Pierre; (7th place) RJ Pierre 1:14 p. Adrian Delgado, Hermiston.

120 — Kedrick Baker, Polson (1-2) – Baker 7-0 d. Rome Borley, CdA; Alex Edelblute, Lakeland, 1:10 p. Baker; Ty Whitney, Bethel, 2:26 p. Baker.

Masyn Cowell, Polson (3-2) – Cowell 11-4 d. Jacob Carman, Vashon Island; Yusef Nelson, Auburn Riverside, 3:39 p. Cowell; Cowell 2:59 p. Connor Sterns, Ferris; Cowell inj.def. Justyce Acosta,, JenkinsHS, Chewelah; Matt Johnson, Lake Stevens, 10-2 md. Cowell.

132 — Jarod Farrier, Polson (0-2) – Kamron Regan, Moses Lake, 3:55 p. Farrier; Zyle Blas, Bethel, tf.-1.5 3:04 (17-2) Farrier.

138 — Dugan Davis, Polson (0-2) – Josh Werner, Free, 2:42 p. Davis; Takoda Morrison, Colville, 1:52 p. Davis.

145 — Caleb Pierre, Polson (1-2) – Arturo Solorio, Othello, 3:45 p. C.Pierre; C.Pierre 1:52 p. Hunter Williams, Central Valley; Wyatt Gleave, Colville, 2:34 p. C.Pierre.

152 – 4, Bridger Wenzel

Bridger Wenzel, Polson (4-2) – Wenzel 1:58 p. Kevin Komejo, Kamiakin; Wenzel 0:58 p. Karson Voss, Moses Lake; Wenzel 7-1 d. Phoenix Farrar, Orting; (semi) Aidan Villareal, Chiawana, 8-6 d. Wenzel; Wenzel 4-1 d. Conall Powers, Sentinel; (3rd place) Connor Harris, Havre 7-3 d. Wenzel.

160 — Garrett Croft, Polson (0-2) – Trevor Morrison, Colville, 2:45 p. Croft; Bodie Bedow, East Valley, 7-4 d. Croft.

170 — Hunter Fritsch, Polson (2-2) – Fritsch 9-0 md. Colby Poe , PR; Kenan Brown, Potlatch, 1:26 p. Fritsch; Fritsch 7-2 d. Curtis Johnson, Lakeland; Tanner Goff, Colville, inj.def. Fritsch.

182 — Logan Adler, Polson (1-2) – Adler 1:06 p. Lincoln Rogers, University; Kaden Krause, JenkinsHS, Chewelah, 1:52 p. Adler; Bryan Guzman, Moses Lake, forf. over Adler.

195 — Justice Moore, Polson (0-2) – Nathan Boldiszar, University, 2:11 p. Moore; Tyson Zeutschel, Bethel, 1:26 p. Moore.

285 — Jasper Drake, Polson (1-2) – Wyatt Wickham, Central Valley, 0:27 p. Drake; Drake 0:24 p. Pierce, Colville; Eyvar Robles, Auburn Riverside, 2:30 p. Drake.