The MatCats wrestling team was well short of full strength Friday as they wrestled against Whitefish and Thompson Falls at the Whitefish Tournament.

With several wrestlers having already reached their season limit for matches before divisionals and others battling illness, the Cats had several weight classes open as they competed in the tourney.

Despite the open classes, the Cats fell to Whitefish by only 18 points, 48-30, and defeated Thompson Falls, 18-9.

“We are just gearing up for divisionals and trying to stay healthy,” head coach Jessie Schaeffer said. “We just have to be mentally tough and be ready for this weekend.”

Thomas Peters had the top finish for the Cats at the tourney, pinning Whitefish’s Jack Akey in 1:02 while Taylor Gladeau pinned Brian Sweeney in 1:03.

The Cats will be in action at the divisional tournament in Butte Saturday.

Whitefish (WHIT) 48.0 Columbia Falls (COFA) 30.0

103: Nathan Sproul (WHIT) over (COFA) (For.) 113: Jackson Carson (WHIT) over (COFA) (For.) 120: Dean Kellogg (WHIT) over Colten Hogan (COFA) (Fall 1:33) 126: Noah Cooke (WHIT) over (COFA) (For.) 132: Thomas Peters (COFA) over Jack Akey (WHIT) (Fall 1:02) 138: Dakota Flannery (WHIT) over (COFA) (For.) 145: Issac Balla (COFA) over Carlitos Bertelsen (WHIT) (Fall 4:53) 152: Camren Ross (WHIT) over (COFA) (For.) 160: Robert Bertelsen (WHIT) over Jordan Knapton (COFA) (Fall 1:15) 170: Lucas Thacker (COFA) over (WHIT) (For.) 182: Dj Laycock (COFA) over (WHIT) (For.) 205: Ashton Akey (WHIT) over (COFA) (For.) 285: Taylor Gladeau (COFA) over Brian Sweeney (WHIT) (Fall 1:03)

Columbia Falls (COFA) 18.0, Thompson Falls (THFA) 9.0

103: 113: 120: Tray Thilmony (THFA) over Colten Hogan (COFA) (Fall 0:22) 126: 132: Thomas Peters (COFA) over Shane Reishus (THFA) (Fall 5:59) 138: 145: Issac Balla (COFA) over Lucas Andersen (THFA) (Fall 2:33) 152: 160: Jordan Knapton (COFA) over (THFA) (For.) 170: 182: Dakota Ervine (THFA) over Dj Laycock (COFA) (Dec 5-4) 205: 285: