Harlem starts strong

The Harlem Wildcats opened the 2013-14 wrestling season looking as strong as ever.

The Wildcats placed third at the prestigious Cascade Invitational, scoring 195.5 points. Harlem finished behind Choteau and Fairfield in the 17-team event.

The Willdcats, of head coach Lyle Faulkinberry, had five grapplers reach the finals, and they placed 10 wrestlers overall.

Shay Snider captured the 126-pound title for Harlem, while Teague Jones won the championship at 132 pounds. Seth Adams was first at 220 pounds, while Brenden Johnson finished second at 145 pounds. Trent Noel also won the heavyweight championship.

Other placers for the Wildcats included, Franki Taylor, who placed fifth at 120 pounds, John Bell, who placed third at 138, Denton Cornell, who finished fourth at 182, Colten Stiffarm, who finished sixth at heavyweight and T'Jay Allen, who placed sixth at 132.

"I was very pleased with the level of intensity that we demonstrated at this tourney," Faulkinberry said. "Also, the boys responded well to situations that are out of our control. The first round we only had 5 matches and the rest were byes, therefore we were behind after the first round due to the byes and you lose your pin points, so they had to buckle down and take care of business in the following rounds."

The Wildcats are set to be back in action at the Chinook Mixer Friday night, as well as in the Scottie Invitational Saturday.