57 wrestlers confirmed for Tournament of Champions
57 wrestlers have confirmed their participation in this weekend's Tournament of Champions in Great Falls. More than half of the state champions have confirmed their participation in the event. All wrestlers and coaches will be provided accomodation at the Town House Inn on 15th Street and 10th Ave. South.
Bozeman Chronicle Features Tournament of Champions
http://bozemandailychronicle.com/articles/2009/02/17/sports/000toc.txt
The season continues
By PETE DELMOE Chronicle Sports Writer
Depending on whom you ask, this weekend will determine the real state-champion wrestlers in Montana.
ERIK PETERSEN/CHRONICLE Michael Carpenter works for a takedown during the 140-pound State Class AA championship match Saturday at the Billings Metra. Carpenter has been invited to the Tournament of Champions in Great Falls. One week after the state tournament in Billings, the inaugural Tournament of Champions High School All-Star Wrestling Tournament will be held in Great Falls this Saturday. The state tournament is broken up into classes AA, A and B/C, and wrestlers from those classes aren’t given the opportunity to compete against each other. The Tournament of Champions will match up all three champions from each class, including a wild-card entry.“I think it’s great,” Bozeman wrestling coach Nate Laslovich said. “It’s a good thing for kids to be able to all wrestle each other and see who the true state champion is.”Five wrestlers from Bozeman have been invited: state champions David Demo(119 pounds), Marshall Carpenter (135), and Michael Carpenter (140), along with third-place finisher Kyle Taranto (130) and fourth-place finisher Riley Berry (112).
Belgrade, which finished second in Class A at the state tournament, will have four wrestlers competing in the Tournament of Champions: state champion Tucker Taylor (152), third-place finisher Cole Schram (145), plus second-place finishers Jordan Malarchick (160) and Phil Prickett (189).The tournament was created by Zander Blewett and his sons Anders and Drew, who live in Great Falls and are all former wrestlers. Anders said people have talked for awhile about creating a tournament that matches up state champions from all three classes, but no one was willing to take the necessary steps.“We knew if we didn’t do it, it wasn’t going to happen,” Anders Blewett said. “We knew we had the will power, the resources and the connections around the state to get this thing going.”One of the challenges for the TOC is that some of the champions don’t want to wrestle in the tournament because they want to end their season on a high note, instead of risking a loss at the hands of another state champion.Anders Blewett said he expects the majority of the champions to compete in the tournament as long as injuries aren’t a factor.“Wrestling is a sport of fanatics and I think they’re guys who all have a thirst for competition,” he said. “Sandbagging and wrestling don’t go hand in hand, so I think that any challenge, most wrestlers are going to take.“Wrestling is not a glamorous sport. Those that do it and those that do it well really like to get out there and any chance they have to get at good competition, they take it.”With so many talented wrestlers participating in the event, there’s really no shame in losing.“For those kids, it should be a no pressure situation,” Laslovich said.“Everybody’s tough. You’re not going to run into a kid who’s not tough. Everybody at the tournament is a state champion or right there.”The tournament is essentially an all-star event. Belgrade coach Justin Taylor said some of his wrestlers were hesitant about wrestling at the tournament, but he mentioned that they shouldn’t feel pressure and that it was an honor to be selected, which helped convince them to participate.“Every other sport has an all-star tournament except wrestling,” Anders Blewett said. “We just thought it was long overdue that these wrestlers get the credit they deserve and the recognition they deserve.”At the state tournament, Justin Taylor had a hard time dealing with the stress of coaching his son Tucker in the finals. He said he’s looking forward to relaxing at this tournament.“I’m just going to be happy to watch, this time,” Taylor said. “I’m not worried about the outcome. That state championship he won is something they can’t take away from him, so I don’t look at it with a lot of pressure and I don’t think he will. It’ll be fun for a change.”The tournament will be held at the Great Falls High School Fieldhouse.Semifinals will be held in the morning, followed by the championship rounds in the early afternoon. The law firm of Hoyt and Blewett PLLC in Great Falls is sponsoring the event and paying for travel and lodging for the wrestlers and their coaches.“I think it’s a great idea,” Justin Taylor said. “What the Blewett family is doing to try to promote wrestling and give back to the sport they love is wonderful and that’s one of the reason’s why were going.”Anders said he hopes the event will be the first of many.“I think it will grow into a tradition,” he said. “The first year will be a good test for us to gauge support. I do have high hopes.”Pete Delmoe can be reached at pdelmoe@dailychronicle.com and 582-2670.
The season continues
By PETE DELMOE Chronicle Sports Writer
Depending on whom you ask, this weekend will determine the real state-champion wrestlers in Montana.
ERIK PETERSEN/CHRONICLE Michael Carpenter works for a takedown during the 140-pound State Class AA championship match Saturday at the Billings Metra. Carpenter has been invited to the Tournament of Champions in Great Falls. One week after the state tournament in Billings, the inaugural Tournament of Champions High School All-Star Wrestling Tournament will be held in Great Falls this Saturday. The state tournament is broken up into classes AA, A and B/C, and wrestlers from those classes aren’t given the opportunity to compete against each other. The Tournament of Champions will match up all three champions from each class, including a wild-card entry.“I think it’s great,” Bozeman wrestling coach Nate Laslovich said. “It’s a good thing for kids to be able to all wrestle each other and see who the true state champion is.”Five wrestlers from Bozeman have been invited: state champions David Demo(119 pounds), Marshall Carpenter (135), and Michael Carpenter (140), along with third-place finisher Kyle Taranto (130) and fourth-place finisher Riley Berry (112).
Belgrade, which finished second in Class A at the state tournament, will have four wrestlers competing in the Tournament of Champions: state champion Tucker Taylor (152), third-place finisher Cole Schram (145), plus second-place finishers Jordan Malarchick (160) and Phil Prickett (189).The tournament was created by Zander Blewett and his sons Anders and Drew, who live in Great Falls and are all former wrestlers. Anders said people have talked for awhile about creating a tournament that matches up state champions from all three classes, but no one was willing to take the necessary steps.“We knew if we didn’t do it, it wasn’t going to happen,” Anders Blewett said. “We knew we had the will power, the resources and the connections around the state to get this thing going.”One of the challenges for the TOC is that some of the champions don’t want to wrestle in the tournament because they want to end their season on a high note, instead of risking a loss at the hands of another state champion.Anders Blewett said he expects the majority of the champions to compete in the tournament as long as injuries aren’t a factor.“Wrestling is a sport of fanatics and I think they’re guys who all have a thirst for competition,” he said. “Sandbagging and wrestling don’t go hand in hand, so I think that any challenge, most wrestlers are going to take.“Wrestling is not a glamorous sport. Those that do it and those that do it well really like to get out there and any chance they have to get at good competition, they take it.”With so many talented wrestlers participating in the event, there’s really no shame in losing.“For those kids, it should be a no pressure situation,” Laslovich said.“Everybody’s tough. You’re not going to run into a kid who’s not tough. Everybody at the tournament is a state champion or right there.”The tournament is essentially an all-star event. Belgrade coach Justin Taylor said some of his wrestlers were hesitant about wrestling at the tournament, but he mentioned that they shouldn’t feel pressure and that it was an honor to be selected, which helped convince them to participate.“Every other sport has an all-star tournament except wrestling,” Anders Blewett said. “We just thought it was long overdue that these wrestlers get the credit they deserve and the recognition they deserve.”At the state tournament, Justin Taylor had a hard time dealing with the stress of coaching his son Tucker in the finals. He said he’s looking forward to relaxing at this tournament.“I’m just going to be happy to watch, this time,” Taylor said. “I’m not worried about the outcome. That state championship he won is something they can’t take away from him, so I don’t look at it with a lot of pressure and I don’t think he will. It’ll be fun for a change.”The tournament will be held at the Great Falls High School Fieldhouse.Semifinals will be held in the morning, followed by the championship rounds in the early afternoon. The law firm of Hoyt and Blewett PLLC in Great Falls is sponsoring the event and paying for travel and lodging for the wrestlers and their coaches.“I think it’s a great idea,” Justin Taylor said. “What the Blewett family is doing to try to promote wrestling and give back to the sport they love is wonderful and that’s one of the reason’s why were going.”Anders said he hopes the event will be the first of many.“I think it will grow into a tradition,” he said. “The first year will be a good test for us to gauge support. I do have high hopes.”Pete Delmoe can be reached at pdelmoe@dailychronicle.com and 582-2670.
Great Falls Tribune Hypes Tournament of Champs
February 18, 2009
Champions coming to town for mat meet
By SCOTT MANSCH Tribune Asst. Sports Editor
State wrestling champions from Great Falls and all corners of Montana will be at Swarthout Fieldhouse Saturday for the inaugural Tournament of Champions.
"We've got the Glasgows, the Havres, the Libbys — kids are coming from all over the place," said Zander Blewett, whose family and law firm — Hoyt and Blewett PLLC — is sponsoring the invitational competition. "The kids have been great and the coaches have been great. We expect it to be an exciting event."
Winners at their respective weights in last weekend's All-Class Championships in Billings were invited, along with wild-entries. Blewett and his sons, Drew and Anders, are all former wrestlers who have worked for months to promote the tournament and secure commitments from the state's top grapplers.
The entry list features many current or past state champions, including brothers Cole Mendenhall (98) and Dylan Mendenhall (105) of Great Falls High, and Nash Hallfrisch of C.M. Russell High (145). Hallfrisch is a three-time state champion.
At several weights, including 119, 140, 189 and heavyweight, all three of the recently crowned state champions are entered.
The tournament starts Saturday morning at 10:30 with introductions. The competition is expected to begin at 11, with the championship finals slated to start at 2 p.m.
Among those planning to wrestle are two sets of twins — Jade and Val Rauser of Townsend, and Marshall and Michael Carpenter of Bozeman — and Glasgow stars Luke Zeiger, Myles Kittleson and Chance Rauscher. All have won at least one state championship.
Other stars who have confirmed entry include Luke Schlosser of Conrad, Brice Gretch of Billings Skyview, Shawn Lau of Kalispell Flathead, Myles Mazurkiewicz and Mitch Schnittgen of Havre, Brock Picard of Polson, Brady Anderson of Hamilton, Ethan Tweet of Fort Benton and Toby Erickson of Helena High.
The Blewetts are providing free lodging for coaches and players and compensation for gas mileage. The athletes are coming to town on Friday and staying at the Townhouse Inn, where a reception is planned.
"It was more difficult than we thought, given the logistics of one week between the state tournaments and our event," said Zander Blewett.
He believes the Tournament of Champions will be an annual event in Great Falls.
"I think next year and year after more of the kids will be inclined to come because they'll be a little more alert to the issue," Zander Blewett said. "It's amazing the number who are really looking forward to it and want to be in it ... The kids that took second last weekend can't wait to come to this thing, and that's really refreshing."
He said many members of the Great Falls wrestling community, including Mick Davis, Bob Zadick, Steve Komac, Doug Sexe and Allen Rohrback, have been helpful.
Champions coming to town for mat meet
By SCOTT MANSCH Tribune Asst. Sports Editor
State wrestling champions from Great Falls and all corners of Montana will be at Swarthout Fieldhouse Saturday for the inaugural Tournament of Champions.
"We've got the Glasgows, the Havres, the Libbys — kids are coming from all over the place," said Zander Blewett, whose family and law firm — Hoyt and Blewett PLLC — is sponsoring the invitational competition. "The kids have been great and the coaches have been great. We expect it to be an exciting event."
Winners at their respective weights in last weekend's All-Class Championships in Billings were invited, along with wild-entries. Blewett and his sons, Drew and Anders, are all former wrestlers who have worked for months to promote the tournament and secure commitments from the state's top grapplers.
The entry list features many current or past state champions, including brothers Cole Mendenhall (98) and Dylan Mendenhall (105) of Great Falls High, and Nash Hallfrisch of C.M. Russell High (145). Hallfrisch is a three-time state champion.
At several weights, including 119, 140, 189 and heavyweight, all three of the recently crowned state champions are entered.
The tournament starts Saturday morning at 10:30 with introductions. The competition is expected to begin at 11, with the championship finals slated to start at 2 p.m.
Among those planning to wrestle are two sets of twins — Jade and Val Rauser of Townsend, and Marshall and Michael Carpenter of Bozeman — and Glasgow stars Luke Zeiger, Myles Kittleson and Chance Rauscher. All have won at least one state championship.
Other stars who have confirmed entry include Luke Schlosser of Conrad, Brice Gretch of Billings Skyview, Shawn Lau of Kalispell Flathead, Myles Mazurkiewicz and Mitch Schnittgen of Havre, Brock Picard of Polson, Brady Anderson of Hamilton, Ethan Tweet of Fort Benton and Toby Erickson of Helena High.
The Blewetts are providing free lodging for coaches and players and compensation for gas mileage. The athletes are coming to town on Friday and staying at the Townhouse Inn, where a reception is planned.
"It was more difficult than we thought, given the logistics of one week between the state tournaments and our event," said Zander Blewett.
He believes the Tournament of Champions will be an annual event in Great Falls.
"I think next year and year after more of the kids will be inclined to come because they'll be a little more alert to the issue," Zander Blewett said. "It's amazing the number who are really looking forward to it and want to be in it ... The kids that took second last weekend can't wait to come to this thing, and that's really refreshing."
He said many members of the Great Falls wrestling community, including Mick Davis, Bob Zadick, Steve Komac, Doug Sexe and Allen Rohrback, have been helpful.
MHSA Gives Green Light to Tournament of Champions
The participation of high school coaches and wrestlers in the Montana Tournament of Champions will not conflict with the out of season contest guidelines articulated by the MHSA. Executive Director of the MHSA, Mark Beckman, has verified that an underclassman’s eligibility will not be adversely affected by competing in the tournament. Although coaches of team sports are prohibited from coaching their teams out of season except during the months of June and July, coaches of individual sports, such as wrestling, are not affected by this rule. See MHSA Handbook, page 40, F # 1 and # 2 as well as page 26, Section 17, # 4. The only caveat to keep in mind is schools cannot provide transportation for the event. This simply means schools cannot rent out a bus or van to transport their wrestlers and coaches. However, coaches are free to provide transportation for their wrestlers by driving their own vehicles, and the mileage reimbursement provided by Hoyt & Blewett law firm will hopefully provide incentives to do so.
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