Locals trying to return NAIA tourney to Great Falls

A group, consisting of several former Montana State University-Northern, and area wrestlers is working to bring the NAIA national tournament back to Montana, specifically Great Falls.

A group, led by former Havre High and Northern standout Aaron Jensen, who is now the head wrestling coach at CMR is leading the bidding process, along with former Chinook and UGF standout Eric Hinebauch, as well as current UGF head coach and former Northern national champion Caleb Schaeffer. The CMR "Little Guy" program, led by Jensen is working to finalize a bid which would bring the national tournament the Four Seasons Arena for the 2013 season.

"It would be great," Jensen told the Great Falls Tribune recently. "This tournament draws a lot of wrestling fans when it's here in Montana."

Schaeffer added that the NAIA likes the idea of the national tourney, which has moved around a lot lately, and was held in Des Moines, Iowa earlier this month, returning to Great Falls, where it had a successful spectator turnout during its three-year run.

From 2002-2004, Great Falls, and the Swarthout Fieldhouse at Great Falls High played host to the national tournament, and it drew great crowds. During that run, the Lights won a national championship in 2004, and also finished second in 2002 and third in 2003.Current MSU-Northern head coach Tyson Thivierge won an NAIA nationalc hampionship for the Lights in Great Falls in 2002.

Northern and UGF are the only two collegiate wrestling programs in Montana.