Wolf Point Hopes For Solid Wrestling Season In 2021

Wolf Point’s wrestling team will begin its season on Monday, Jan. 4, with a home mixer that is expected to feature Malta and Poplar.

The Wolves’ wrestling program started practice on Monday, Dec. 7, with an impressive turnout of 11 wrestlers.

Coach Scott Vandall, entering his fourth season as head coach, is excited because this is the largest turnout during that time.

“We’re trying to build it,” Vandall said of the program. “We get good support from our AD.”

Leading the Wolves’ list of returning athletes is Mason Garfield. The junior was a state qualifier and came one match away from placing at state last season.

Senior Josh Bushman returns after sitting out last season. He wrestled as a freshman and sophomore.

“He almost made it to state. He wrestles hard,” Vandall said.

Freshmen on the squad include Jordan Davis, Maddox Reum, Xavier Kemp and Charlie Page. Each of the freshmen wrestled two or three years at the junior high level.

“We come in with a lot of young experience,” Vandall said. “We’re looking for good things.”

Girls on the squad include Samantha Reed, Jersey Azure, Sofie Rasmussen and freshman Joli Beston. Vandall said Rasmussen and Reid were about 50-50 for wins and losses last season.

The girls will be part of the overall wrestling team until the divisional tournament. All of them automatically qualify for a new all-girls state meet.

Teams expected to be near the top of the divisional standings include defending state champion Glasgow, Huntley Project and Shepherd. Assistant coaches are Tyler Sterling, volunteer Trisetan Kemp and Dave Hopson.

“We want to keep it easy, make weight and get all 18 weigh-ins,” Vandall said.