Whitefish wrestling focused on growth, grit this season

As the winter wrestling season gets underway, Whitefish head coach Tom Gualtier is less concerned with wins and losses and more focused on development, effort and the long-term growth of his program.
“I don't really have expectations, just excited to watch the kids grow. We have a good number of young kids this year and that's really exciting,” Gualtier said.
Whitefish enters the season with a relatively small but youthful roster, blending a core of experience with a wave of underclassmen.
“I have about four seniors... three juniors and seven sophomore or freshman,” Gualtier said.
Leadership will come from both experience and example, with Gualtier pointing to two wrestlers who have set the tone in the room.
“Taylor Dorvall and Carter Olson are going to be my leaders. Strengths this year are the relentlessness everyone has shown me,” he said.
Rather than focusing on league standings or rival programs, Gualtier said his approach centers on internal competition and mindset.
“I don't really pay attention to everyone else because when it comes down to it, it's about who wants it more,” he said.
Most recently, Dorvall earned a second-place finish at the Flathead Invite Saturday.
Gualtier encouraged the Whitefish community to take in some home action this winter, noting two chances to see the Bulldogs compete on their own mats.
“Come out and support when you can we host two home dual events this year, Jan 6 at 5 p.m. in the gym as well as Jan. 23 at 3 p.m.,” he said.