Paced by sophomore Weston Block, who pinned his first two opponents and claimed the championship match at 118 pounds by forfeit, five other Blue Hawk grapplers earned medals and a total of 12 Thompson Falls wrestlers competed in the 2026 Ted Kato Invitational at TFHS Saturday.

Also wrestling at 118 pounds, freshman Ethan Traver enjoyed one of his best tournaments yet, wrestling back from a tough loss in the semifinals to claim third place.

“We were hoping it would be Weston and Ethan in the finals and it almost happened,” coach Nate Block, Weston’s father, said. “But it was a good tournament for both, probably Ethan’s best tourney yet, so it was still good.”

With the Hawks girls, Matea Keefe won second place in round robin competition at 115 pounds, and Veronica Vega grappled her way to fourth place at 100.

Completing Thompson Falls’ medal efforts in the Kato, Liam Pallister won third place at 175 pounds and Carson Kenney claimed fourth at 138.

Also competing and showing well for the Hawks in the Kato were eighth graders Billy Albano (103 pounds) and Jonathan Toyias (118), and high schoolers Easton Helvey at 157, Zarek Pallister at 215 and Jacobe Wood and Pierce Hutton at 285.

Block was pleased with how the tournament went, and how well it was run, singling out and complimenting the efforts of meet announcer Jase Miller and Thompson Falls athletic director Doree Thilmony in that regard.

“I would like to thank all the volunteers, and there were a lot of them,” he said, “for making this such a well-run tournament. These all-day events are a challenge and we got a lot of quality help in making this thing work.”

In addition to his standout announcing, Miller kept track of the program running the tournament and kept things going smoothly all day. Miller is normally also an assistant coach for the Falls wrestling program, when his talents are not in demand elsewhere.

Block said the Hawks will compete this week in a mixer at Arlee Wednesday and will participate in a tournament at Mission Saturday.

    BLUE HAWK WRESTLER Matea Keefe controls her Mission opponent during action in the girls’ 115 pound weight class in the Kato Invitational Saturday. Keefe won second place in her division. (John Hamilton/vp-mi)
  

    ETHAN IN CHARGE – Falls freshman Ethan Traver shown on his way to winning the consolation match at 118 pounds in the Kato Invitational Saturday. (John Hamilton/vp-mi)
  

    TRYING TO CONTROL her opponent, Veronica Vega of Thompson Falls eventually earned fourth place honors at 110 pounds for the Hawk girls in the Kato Invite Saturday. (John Hamilton/vp-mi)