Panther wrestlers place 39th in annual 60-team showcase

The C.M. Russell Holiday Classic is a big deal. Sixty schools from all divisions, including many of the top teams in the state, descend on Great Falls for two days each December in a who’s-who wrestling showcase.

Jefferson High brought 10 varsity wrestlers to this year’s Classic, Dec. 20 and 21 – and came away with an exciting medal-podium finish, by Leo Anderson, and thirty-ninth place overall. Not a bad outcome against the best competition out there.

In Friday’s first round, only Christian Davis, Miles Dodge and Eli Reed had matches, and all three Panthers were defeated. In the second round John Armstrong, at 138 pounds, and Anderson, at 103, were the only ones to advance — Armstrong by a pin. But both lost in the third round and joined the consolation bracket with the rest of their teammates.