Jefferson High’s wrestlers launched their 2024-25 campaign at the Badger Invitational Tournament in Cascade on Dec. 6 and 7. It’s a big tournament to open the season, with 20 schools entered. The Panthers brought 14 wrestlers this year.
Ten of those won their first-round matches: Emma Jurkovac at 105 pounds, Owen Mikesell at 132, Megan Anderson at 135, Mason Mikesell at 138, Cooper Mikesell at 144, Mike Richard at 150, Dylan Stevens and Madison Neely at 190, Brady Armstrong at 215 and Kolbe Michaud at 285.
In the quarterfinals, Jurkovac, Anderson, Cooper Mikesell, Richard, Stevens, Neely, Armstrong and Michaud all won, gaining spots in the semifinals and guarantee themselves places on the awards podium. In the consolation bracket, meanwhile, Russell Douglas, at 118 pounds, and Bayden Tarr, at 215, advanced.
Jurkovac, Anderson, Armstrong and Kolbe Michaud won their semifinals matches to make tthe finals. And Douglas and Tarr both won in the consolation round, ensuring at least 6th-place finishes.
All told, the Panthers advanced ten wrestlers into Saturday’s competition. And after the first day of competition, the Jefferson boys were in fifth place with 105 team points, while the girls were in seventh place with 47 points.
Saturday’s action started with a mixer for wrestlers who were eliminated in Friday’s competition. Andrew Rodriguez, competing at 190 pounds, picked up a win. Owen and Mason Mikesell and Sophia Ahkivgak, at 125 pounds, also competed.
The varsity tournament began with the consolation semifinals. Cooper Mikesell, Richard, Stevens and Neely won to advance into the consolation finals. Douglas finished fifth while Tarr finished sixth. Cooper Mikesell and Richard won to finish third in their classes, while Stevens and Neely placed fourth.
In the finals, Jurkovac and Anderson were defeated, giving them second-place finishes. And Armstrong and Michaud both won to emerge as tournament champions. Armstrong, the reigning state champion, was named the most valuable wrestler for the boy’s division.
Of the 14 Panthers competing, 10 finished in the top six in their respective weight classes.
The Jefferson boys gained ground on cross-county rival Whitehall, finishing in fourth place as a team. The girls placed ninth.
Coach Humphrey’s comments: “We were wrestling shorthanded with only 14 of our 22 team members competing. The young Panther squad exceeded my expectations and made a run at a trophy. Every wrestler won at least one match and scored points for their team, which is a great accomplishment. Look for our team to improve as the season progresses and we get more wrestlers back into our lineup.”
Kolbe Michaud was selected by his coaches as the JHS wrestler of the week. Michaud beat three all-conference athletes en route to the first championship finish of his high school career. Kolbe has put a lot of time in during the offseason and it is paying off.
Russell Douglas had the quick pin of the tournament for the Panthers, taking down his opponent in 47 seconds.
The wrestlers host a mixer against Cascade and Deer Lodge this Thursday, Dec. 12, at 6 pm. This is also “Pack the House” night. Then the Panthers travel to the Whitehall Dual Team Tournament on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 13 and 14. Action gets underway at 10 a.m. each day.
