A pair of seniors led the way for the Superior Bobcats wrestling team while Thompson Falls scored the area’s lone weight class championship during action at this past weekend’s Owen Invitational Wrestling tournament in Polson.

The Bobcats got third place finishes from Decker Milender at 126 pounds and Chandon Vulles in the 285-pound class to secure an 11th-place team finish out of 21 boys teams. Superior also showed it’s depth throughout the weight classes as they amassed 104 team points.

Columbia Falls boys won the team title with 247.5 points.

Meanwhile, 160-pound senior Eli Ratliff of Thompson Falls won his division, clinching first place with a 5-0 decision over Landon Bishop of Ronan. Ratliff’s victory helped the Blue Hawk/Noxon wrestlers to 59.5 team points, good for 20th place.

Milender, who has been a standout at Superior for the past three years, had a first round bye, then advanced to the quarterfinals with a pin over Elijah Gause of Hamilton at the 1:06 mark of the first round.

He then advanced to the semi’s with a 38-second fall over Jason Merringer of Bigfork. Milender’s championship run was halted in the semi-finals where he lost by major decision to Tyler Gilfry of Columbia Falls. Milender rallied to win the consolation final by a 4-0 decision over Frenchtown’s Cole Johnson.

Vulles also had a first-round bye, then won his first match in 41 seconds with a pin over Arie McLaughlin of Florence to advance to the semis. Vulles lost his semi-final encounter with Brendyn Whiteman of Browning, then came back to win the consolation final with 1:33 fall victory over Drew Munro of Libby.

In addition to the two seniors, Superior got team points from Michah Acker (fourth at 120 pounds) and Chase Woodson’s sixth place showing in the 182 pound category. Carter McLees was also a sixth place finisher in the 170-division.

Brock Ryan of T Falls was a sixth-placer for the Blue Hawks, with his showing in the 138-pound event.

The Thompson Falls/Noxon girls team also had a nice showing, particularly in the 100-pound category, where Desani Bewick finished fourth and Jaden Bewick took sixth. Veronica Bewick also scored for the Lady Hawks, finishing fourth in the 185-pound division. The Lady Hawks finished 19th in the team standings.

Next up for area wrestlers is the Superior Mixer this Friday night for the host Bobcats and Plains/Hot Springs, while Plains will host a quad meet this Thursday with Thompson Falls/Noxon.

All of the area’s high school wrestling teams will then attend the prestigious Bob Kinney Invitational beginning Saturday morning in Superior.