By Boots Gifford
Tamien Labuff, a 1998 Browning High School graduate, has signed on to wrestle for the reigning NAIA national champion Montana State-Northern Lights, announced coach David Ray.
Labuff, who redshirted last season at North Idaho College, has four full seasons in front of him, Ray noted.
Hes going to be exciting to watch, Ray said. Hes a very talented athlete.
A Class A state champion at 140 pounds in 1998, Labuff held a 34-3 record as a senior with 24 pins. He placed sixth as a junior at 135 pounds with an 18-8 record, including 12 pins. As a sophomore he went 33-6, with 18 pins and placed sixth at 125 pounds. As a freshman at 112 pounds, Labuff went 28-14 with 16 pins. His overall prep record of 113-31 includes 70 pins.
Tamien is excellent on his feet, very explosive and quick, Ray said.
Labuff, wrestling unattached his redshirt season at North Idaho, went 12-4 and placed first at the NIC takedown tournament. He also went 4-2 at the Simon Frazer Open.
I know hes an even better wrestler (after redshirting), Ray said. Tamien is going to be hungry. He has sat out a year and wont want to sit on the bench if he doesnt have to.
Labuff will wrestle at 149 pounds for the Lights, Ray said. Its nice having someone of his ability at that weight. He may start, or he will certainly push the others at that weight.
The son of Terry and Judy Smith, Labuff will be taking general studies at Northern.
