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Athlete of the Week

Local wrestlers picked as Athlete of the Week

Posted: Jan 19, 2012 12:18 PM by Derek Buerkle (KPAX Sports)
Updated: Jan 19, 2012 12:37 PM


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MISSOULA- Some of the best wrestlers in the region settled their own rankings last week as Sentinel hosted the annual Jug Beck Rocky Mountain Classic.

A local Brave and Spartan earned a spot at the top of the podium making Jaydn Wilson and Larry Francis our athletes of the week.

The 215 pound weight class usually belongs to upperclassman, but Wilson is making it his division, in only his sophomore season at Sentinel. The young Spartan came into the Classic ranked third in his bracket and he surprised everyone, including himself, on his to a title.

"Rocky Mountain Classic Champ, "I wasn't expecting myself to do it. I was just, that whole goal at the Rocky this year was to make it to the second day. Winning the Rocky was just awesome. No better feeling than actually getting there," Wilson said.

Wilson gave the home crowd plenty to cheer for including a gasp-worthy throw during his 8-3 championship win over Andreas Geranois of Great Falls High.

"The toss was the best part. I love the tosses, the throws. It's all body position. My body was lower than he was, so I got underneath him," Wilson added.

A little later, a Flathead Brave found himself in trouble in the third round. Larry Francis trailed Sam Voigtlaender of Spokane's Mead High with only seconds to go, but then Francis picked up a take down and a near fall, which lead the top-ranked senior to a 6-5 victory.

"That kid's really tough. He won tri-state. So I've never wrestled him, but it turned out good. I was pretty pumped. I took second there two years out of three. Felt good to win it finally," Francis told us.

Francis is the favorite, Wilson is the new star and now both wrestlers have their eyes on another title that would mean even more: A state championship.

"I think about it all the time. I'm excited for state, really excited. I don't really think the rankings mean that much, but it's cool to be ranked number one I think. Everyone's after you," Francis said.

"Yeah, I'm thinking about State now. Last year, I didn't place in state at all. This year, I'm hoping to at least place in the top four. Better place in the top four," Wilson added.

The Montana wrestling championships begin in Billings on February 10th.

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